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Essentials of Painting (Ehon hitsuyō)

Illustrations by Nakaji Sadatoshi Japanese
Preface by Kishi Tengaku Japanese
1751
Not on view
According to its preface, this manual for aspiring painters contains illustrations of all the essential subjects, including historical figures, flowers, birds, and landscapes. Each monochrome, printed image is titled, and many feature an adjacent poem that provides insight into how to paint the subject in question—a format that highlights the inseparability of poetry and painting.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • 中路定年著 岸天岳序　『畫本必用』
  • Title: Essentials of Painting (Ehon hitsuyō)
  • Artist: Illustrations by Nakaji Sadatoshi (Japanese, active 1716–36)
  • Artist: Preface by Kishi Tengaku (Japanese, 1814–1877)
  • Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
  • Date: 1751
  • Culture: Japan
  • Medium: Woodblock-printed book; ink and color on paper
  • Dimensions: 10 1/4 × 7 1/16 in. (26 × 18 cm)
  • Classification: Illustrated Books
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Mary and James G. Wallach Foundation Gift, 2013
  • Object Number: 2013.796
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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