The Art of Japanese Prints [Hardcover]

Nigel Cawthorne (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 19, 1999

This book is a lavishly presented celebration of the classic Japanese art of woodblock prints. Through the 18th and 19th centuries this form dominated visual art in Japan and remains today as a major influence on the graphic arts.

After a short introduction to the history and technique of this art form, the book features a stunning collection of beautifully reproduced examples of masterpieces of the genre -- accompanied by short biographies of the artists -- many of which are already familiar images the world over.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 94 pages
• Publisher: Laurel Glen (May 19, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1571456066
• ISBN-13: 978-1571456069
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 9.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,755,292 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A good introductory work on Japanese woodblock prints., May 15, 1998

By 

[e-mail] George Aar (Seattle ,Wa. U.S.A.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Art of Japanese Prints (Hardcover)

I found this book to be rather like a sampler or a primer on the art of Japanese woodblock printing. The author covers all the basic aspects of Ukiyo-e,the history, techniques , artists , and the culture of Japan are all handled in a sort of broad overview. The work starts with the earliest woodblocks done and progresses to discussing the infuence Japanese prints had on the western artists of the late 19th century. There are a number of wonderful full color reproductions of classic as well as lesser known prints. While the afficianado is not going to learn too much from this book , for the person with a budding interest in Ukiyo-e ,this would be a good place to start.

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Introduction to Japanese Prints, November 6, 2000

By 

Deborah Abernethy (Atlanta, Georgia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Art of Japanese Prints (Hardcover)

I have a theory about how one learns without benefit of a structured environment and an instructor. The first book on any subject should be one that covers the topic briefly with accurate information using proper terminology and lots of pictures to convey meaning and hold one's interest. From there, the books should be more detailed until the scholarly texts are easy to read. I would recommend "The Art of Japanese Prints" by Nigel Cawthorne as a delightful first book on Japanese prints. Much information and terminology (i.e. all the proper terms for Japanese prints: surimona, hashira-e, kacho ya, bijin-ga, nishiki-e, kirazuri,etc.)is given in this 94 page book concerning traditional Japanese woodblock prints. There is not a two-page spread that does not have at least one color print. One can easily see why Japanese prints are so desirable.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The art of Japenes Prints, January 16, 2001

By 

Pamela Bronk (plymouth, Wi. United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Art of Japanese Prints (Hardcover)

Absolutely beautiful. As an artist I am always looking for inspiration and I have found it in the choice of prints and the treatment of these prints on trace paper and in metalic form.