Kobe

Public Domain

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Images(4)

Artist Charles W. Bartlett(English, 1860–1940)English, 1860–1940

Publisher Watanabe Shōzaburō(Japanese, 1885–1962)Japanese, 1885–1962

CultureEnglish

Titles

Kobe
from the Japan series

Date1916

Place depictedKobe, Japan

MediumWoodblock print; ink and color on paper

DimensionsBlock: 14 1/4 × 9 1/8 in. (36.2 × 23.2 cm)
Sheet: 15 1/16 × 9 7/8 in. (38.3 × 25.1 cm)

Credit LineGift of Stephen Hamilton in memory of Colleen and Dan Urbanek

Object number2008.435

Not on view

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Department

Asian Art

Object Type

PRINTS

ProvenanceFamily collection of David Dolan, grandson of the artist, Honolulu, HI; Richard Waldman and Doug Frazier, The Art of Japan, Issaquah, WA; Purchased January 16, 2008 by the donor, Stephen F. Hamilton, Houston, TX
Published References "Charles Bartlett—A Printmaker in Paradise," pl# 30, pg 118. Hanga Gallery: Charles W. Bartlett was one of the first artists to work with the publisher Watanabe Shozaburo. Bartlett designed a total of 38 woodblock prints for Watanabe, beginning in 1916 and lasting through 1925. Twenty-two of these prints were produced within the first year, many with the date 1916 carved into the key block. The first series of prints consisted of six Indian scenes plus a cover print of the Taj Mahal, and was followed by a series of six Japanese scenes. Many of Bartlett's prints and etchings were scenes from his travels through Southeast Asia, China, and later Hawaii. ... While they were living in Tokyo, Bartlett met the Austrian artist Fritz Capelari who arranged an introduction with the publisher Watanabe Shozaburo. Watanabe was very interested in translating Bartlett's watercolors into woodblock prints, and the two men arranged a collaboration. All of Bartlett's woodblock designs were carved and printed in the Watanabe print shop, under Watanabe's watchful supervision. The resulting prints with their simple designs and flat areas of rich color were both modern and traditional. Miono Matsubara, for example, brings to mind the work of Hiroshige, especially the flat silhouette of Fuji and the stylised clouds. Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks

Marked in pencil on verso lower left: "DENX 10071486"

Signed LL margin in red pigment: "Charles W. Bartlett"

Artist stamp in a square, lower left in the image: "C WB"

Artist stamp in a rectangle, lower left in the image: "KOBE. 1916."

Stamped in red, recto lower left: "©"

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