29 May 2014
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Restoration begins on 18th-century Japanese painting discovered in Edinburgh
Repair work is now underway on a rare 18th-century Japanese handscroll painting that was discovered in the Edinburgh’s Central Library’s special collections. ...
Restoration begins on 18th-century Japanese painting discovered in Edinburgh Images
Repair work is now underway on a rare 18th-century Japanese handscroll painting that was discovered in the Edinburgh’s Central Library’s special collections.
Edinburgh City Libraries has been awarded the ‘Grant for the Protection, Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Properties outside Japan’ from The Sumitomo Foundation, which provides grants to projects involving old and artistically or academically valuable artefacts. The funding is worth 500,000 Japanese Yen (approximately £20,400).
At over 44ft in length, the scroll is thought to be the largest painting ever discovered by Japanese artist Furuyama Moromasa.
Two further paintings by Moromasa are currently held by the British Museum. Central Library’s scroll depicts an extended street scene in 18th-century Edo, or Tokyo, showing the shops and theatres and domestic detail of life at that time.
The scroll, entitled 'Pleasures of the East', was gifted to Edinburgh City Libraries by a relative of Henry Dyer, a Scottish engineer who played a major part in the industrialisation of Japan, but its true significance was only realised through partnership with experts at the National Museums of Scotland.
Dr Rosina Buckland, Senior Curator of National Museums Scotland's Japanese collections, worked with Edinburgh City Libraries to help interpret the scroll using her knowledge of the period.
Dr Buckland said: 'This Japanese handscroll is a wonderfully lively and beautifully painted work. It is around 300 years old, and therefore needs urgent conservation attention. The financial support from the Sumitomo Foundation is crucial in ensuring this important artwork is cared for in the long term. Once the treatment is complete, the handscroll will be available for scholars to study, and for the public to enjoy on display.'
The conservation work began in May this year and is being carried out by Restorient Studios in Leiden in the Netherlands, which specialises in restoration work of oriental art on silk and paper.
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Edinburgh City Libraries has been awarded the ‘Grant for the Protection, Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Properties outside Japan’ from The Sumitomo Foundation, which provides grants to projects involving old and artistically or academically valuable artefacts. The funding is worth 500,000 Japanese Yen (approximately £20,400).
At over 44ft in length, the scroll is thought to be the largest painting ever discovered by Japanese artist Furuyama Moromasa.
Two further paintings by Moromasa are currently held by the British Museum. Central Library’s scroll depicts an extended street scene in 18th-century Edo, or Tokyo, showing the shops and theatres and domestic detail of life at that time.
The scroll, entitled 'Pleasures of the East', was gifted to Edinburgh City Libraries by a relative of Henry Dyer, a Scottish engineer who played a major part in the industrialisation of Japan, but its true significance was only realised through partnership with experts at the National Museums of Scotland.
Dr Rosina Buckland, Senior Curator of National Museums Scotland's Japanese collections, worked with Edinburgh City Libraries to help interpret the scroll using her knowledge of the period.
Dr Buckland said: 'This Japanese handscroll is a wonderfully lively and beautifully painted work. It is around 300 years old, and therefore needs urgent conservation attention. The financial support from the Sumitomo Foundation is crucial in ensuring this important artwork is cared for in the long term. Once the treatment is complete, the handscroll will be available for scholars to study, and for the public to enjoy on display.'
The conservation work began in May this year and is being carried out by Restorient Studios in Leiden in the Netherlands, which specialises in restoration work of oriental art on silk and paper.
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