True Depictions of Bird and Flower Pictures (Kachōe shashin zui) : [volume 1]

Kitao, Shigemasa, 1739-1820 · 1805 · Edo: Nishimura Sōshichi 西村宗七, Osaka et al. · 2 pictures

A Japanese woodblock-printed picture book of bird and flower studies by Kitao Shigemasa, published in Edo in 1805 by Nishimura Sōshichi for artists and students of natural subjects. The first picture is a close blurred ink-and-paper texture of dark branching flower sprigs on grey, while the second is a pale line drawing spread showing a crested bird perched beside hibiscus-like blossoms and a branch of leaves and buds with vertical Japanese captions. A designer could take from these the economy of single-weight contour lines, open white space, and the way a few stems and a perched bird organise a page.

Thomas J. Watson Library, The Metropolitan Museum of Art · No known copyright restrictions · More from this library