Title: An Ukyio-E Painting Album, circa 1870-1900. With Beautifully Produced Ukiyo-E Paintings in the Style of Major Schools. 50 Pages of Large Paintings, with Nearly 20 Double Paged Examples
Author: Three Unidentified Ukiyo-E Artists
Condition: Good
A Meiji Period, late 19th century painting album, containing a collection of beautifully produced Ukiyo-E paintings
There are 50 pages of beautiful, hand painted ukiyo-e paintings, with nearly double paged examples, and some accentuated with silver and gold ink. Even the front cover and pastedown have paintings. There is a 51st page of illustrations, but only in unfinished, sketch format.
The subjects are typical examples one would find in ukiyo-e paintings and prints, featuring various nobles and lordly figures of Japan, samurai battling on foot and horse, and more. There is also a particular focus on women, from regular villagers to noble ladies of different periods, several geishas in ornately designed kimonos, and even several paintings of various Onna-musha (members of the bushi (warrior) class) already engaged in battle or preparing to make war.
Having referenced several Ukiyo-e artist signature databases, I have been unable to identify the artist seals present. With that in mind, the way some of the paintings have been produced is similar to the styles of the Utagawa and Hokusai Schools.
One painting album in orihon format (26.8 x 19.1 cm), 48 leaves
This painting album is in good shape, with some rubbing and wear to the covers. There is worming to the margins, heaviest to the lower corners, and not impacting the paintings too much. A few pages have been affected by ink smearing or ink bleed.