Ebook: The masters of Ukioye: a complete historical description of Japanese paintings and color prints of the Genre school

New York: W.H. Ketcham, 1896. — 146 p.In arranging a chronological exhibition of works by the Masters of the Ukioye, or Popular School of Japanese Artists, Mr. Ketcham has rendered a service to students and lovers of Japanese Art for which they should be very grateful. That the exhibition has been undertaken partly for commercial reasons does not lessen the obligation. In addition to the selections made from Mr. Ketcham’ s extensive stock, it includes also, through the kindness of their owners in loaning them for the occasion, a large proportion of the finest and most beautiful works belonging to private collections in the United States. Nothing like it has ever been attempted before. For the first time does a connected series of paintings and prints by all of the leading artists of this school, hung together in proper sequence, make it possible to gain a comprehensive view of the history of Ukioye art through all the phases of its rise, development, and decay. Especially is this true as regards the NishikiyS, or color prints from wood blocks, which are the most distinctive product of the school. Here may be seen rare proof-mpressions from early blocks, which are printed in soUd black, with no attempt at gradations of tone. The several varieties of hand-colored prints are represented by many fine examples. Then in the Nishikiye proper may be traced the growing mastery of the artists over the resources of the printer’s craft. The works of the earlier men are notable for combined vigor of conception and sweetness of line, rather than for especial beauty of color. There is, however, a charm in their quiet simplicity which is lacking in the works of later periods ; and some of the prints for which, in addition to the black outline, but two tint-blocks were used, are exquisitely lovely in color, as well as wonderful achievements in design. After Torii Kiyomitsu began the use of a third color-block, the rivalry between many able artists resulted in rapid progress, until the art reached its highest development in strength and beauty of design, in richness and variety of color, and in perfection of printing, in the time of the great master Torii Kiyonaga and his contemporaries. The works shown in this exhibition make it possible to follow this development
throughout, and to trace the subsequent decline of the art, at first gradual, then more rapid, as the creative impulse which stimulated the masters of the eighteenth century died out, and little was left beyond mere delight in technical proficiency. The brief renaissance due to the genius of Hokusai and Hiroshige is illustrated by some superb examples of their finest productions. That few works of their contemporaries and followers are shown is not because the art became extinct after the death of these men, but for the reason that their aesthetic value is so small.