Working with history of art senior lecturer Susan Dine, thirteen students are cataloging woodblock prints from an 1860s album made in Japan. Their digital project unpacks these brightly-colored prints of kabuki actors and urban life. Each print required four experts’ work: the designer, the engraver, the printer, and the publisher, whose names are visible on each of the over 80 prints in the album. Now attributed to an engraver and publisher, the 1863 Goldfish Parody print shows how artists and publishers depicted popular actors. The album was given to the donor’s father in Tokyo in 1948 by members of the University of Pennsylvania Alumni Club following his lecture there. Look for the students’ digital project on our website later this spring.
Cover, Album of Woodblock Prints, c. 1860
Edo, Japan
Given to the donor’s father September 8, 1948 by the
Tokyo Chapter of the University of Pennsylvania Alumni
Gift of Dr. Henry Pendergrass
1994.334
Woodblock Print, c. 1860
Edo, Japan
Embossed texture added to right-hand black robes
Given to the donor’s father September 8, 1948 by the
Tokyo Chapter of the University of Pennsylvania Alumni
Gift of Dr. Henry Pendergrass
1994.334
Utagawa Yosiiku (1833-1904)
Does It Look Like Them? A Goldfish Parody
Published by Hayashiya Shôgorô
Woodblock print, 1863
Edo, Japan
Gift of Dr. Henry Pendergrass
1994.334