One Hundred Aspects of the Moon
Japanese Woodblock Prints by Yoshitoshi
16 November 2007 - 17 February 2008
The life of the artist Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839-1892) spanned the violent transformation of Japan from a medieval to a modern society. Working in the ephemeral medium of woodblock prints or ukiyo-e, literally ‘pictures of the floating world’, Yoshitoshi at first confronted the savagery of his time. By the 1880s, he created One Hundred Aspects of the Moon, a more tranquil series of a hundred portraits imaginatively linked to phases of the moon. These portrayals of individuals both ordinary and great combined native lyricism with a dynamic, modern look resulting from his adoption of western spatial techniques and colouring.
For his brilliance as a print designer, Yoshitoshi is today celebrated as one of the masters of the ukiyo-e tradition.
This print collection was formed by the late Else and Joseph Chapman. The exhibition is lent to the Library by the Museum of International Folk Art, Museum of New Mexico, USA, and is accompanied by a catalogue.
Entry is free.
Chester Beatty Library
Dublin Castle, Dublin 2
Phone + 353 1 4070750
www.cbl.ie
