Posted by Willie (71.89.1.88) on February 07, 2012 at 18:39:40:
In Reply to: Utamaro prints- one design two sets of b posted by Willie on January 31, 2012 at 01:44:55:
Hi All,
Thanks very much for your responses.
Guy, Thanks for sending me over here. All this feedback is great. On the pages for these prints at the library's website it states "Title and other descriptive information compiled by Nichibunken-sponsored Edo print specialists in 2005-06". I was told that the entire collection of prints was examined during this time and if the panel felt the print was a reproduction it would have been noted. There are no such remarks regarding either of these prints. I do not know how closely they looked at each print.
Gordon, I did not notice the towel folds before but you are right that they don't make sense in the 1478 print. All of the differences that I noticed could be attributed to a change of design but it does seem that this detail would be a bit more suggestive of a reproduction.
The references that you provided from Ms. Collia-Suzuki's book are helpful. I will try to track them down. Perhaps I need to buy a new book.
Hans Olaf, Thanks for the close up images. they help alot in the comparison. Regarding when the prints were produced, given the references and the opinions that have been expressed here and by the Library panel it is safe to assume #1500 is an original. The question, as you point out, is when does #1478 come into the picture. Since it was donated along with other pieces from the Noyes Collection in 1905 it is most likely a 19th century print. I did go to look at the print and it is in good shape but it does not look "new".
I found a reference to a stated re-issue of the print from the original, but re-worked, blocks produced in 1908. Unfortunately, the images are not detailed enough to closely compare but the keyblock does seem to generally match up with #1478. Overall, however, the look, color and feel is different from either of these prints.
I agree it would be interesting to find out what led the panel to come to their conclusions. I will try to look into this.
Again, Thank you all for you time and your thoughts.
Willie