Exhibition/event has ended.
"Undressing Paintings - Japanese Nudes 1880-1945" Exhibiton
The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo
Finished
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Artists
Seiki Kuroda, Goro Mantetsu, Morikazu Kumagai, Kaita Murayama, Sotaro Yasui, Narashige Koide, Harue Koga, Eisaku Wada, Ryuzaburo Umehara et al.
Paintings of naked figures are still being produced widely, and are familiar to us. Nevertheless, the custom of depicting in works of art and publicly appreciating naked and semi-naked human bodies is relatively new in Japan, introduced only after the middle of the Meiji period (1868-1912) as an element of a foreign culture mainly via France. After that, many painters explored various ways of presenting nude bodies before the custom eventually established itself firmly in the country.
Is eroticism necessary for art? How can we strike a proper balance between the two? Who is to determine the properness of the balance? While people including art lovers and the police were involved in such arguments, painters tried to figure out ways to handle nudes, having them lie or stand on their heads, with their limbs stretched or shortened, or lending unusual colors to them.
Presenting 100 oils dating from 1880s to 1940s, this exhibition explores the origin of the still actual issues around art and nudity. Through the exhibits ranging from Important Cultural Properties to little-known controversial works, we hope the show will provide a new perspective on the history of Japanese art centering on nudity.
[Image: Seiki Kuroda, "Chi Kan Sei" (Wisdom, Impression, Sentiment) (1899) National Museum]
Is eroticism necessary for art? How can we strike a proper balance between the two? Who is to determine the properness of the balance? While people including art lovers and the police were involved in such arguments, painters tried to figure out ways to handle nudes, having them lie or stand on their heads, with their limbs stretched or shortened, or lending unusual colors to them.
Presenting 100 oils dating from 1880s to 1940s, this exhibition explores the origin of the still actual issues around art and nudity. Through the exhibits ranging from Important Cultural Properties to little-known controversial works, we hope the show will provide a new perspective on the history of Japanese art centering on nudity.
[Image: Seiki Kuroda, "Chi Kan Sei" (Wisdom, Impression, Sentiment) (1899) National Museum]
Schedule | Nov 15 (Tue) 2011-Jan 15 (Sun) 2012 Opening Hours Information
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| Fee | Adults ¥850, Students ¥450, High School Students and under ¥0 | ||||||
| Website | http://www.momat.go.jp/english/artmuseum/Undressing_Paintings/index.html | ||||||
| Venue | The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo http://www.momat.go.jp/english | ||||||
| Location | 3-1 Kitanomaru Koen, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-8322 | ||||||
| Access | 3 minute walk from exit 1b at Takebashi Station on the Tozai line. 5 minute walk from exit 4 at Kudanshita Station on the Hanzomon and Tozai lines or Toei Shinjuku line. 15 minute walk from exit A1 at Jimbocho Station on the Toei Shinjuku and Mita lines or Hanzomon line. | ||||||
| Phone | 050-5541-8600 (Hello Dial) | ||||||
| Related images | Click on the image to enlarge it |
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