Kawanabe Kyōsai (1831–1889) is one of the most colorful figures of the late nineteenth-century Japanese art world. Bridging the gap between the shogun’s feudal society of the Edo period and the Western-style institutions led by the emperor during the Meiji era, Kyōsai was trained in the traditional styles of Japanese painting and also sought new techniques by studying art from Europe. He provided illustrations for a translated edition of Aesop’s Fables for All (Tsūzoku isoppu monogatari) in the 1770s, which proved to be a rich source of inspiration for Kyōsai, who produced independent print series, books, and paintings based on this material for several years. Hosted by the Smithsonian Institute, this talk examines the profound impact that Kyōsai's work on Aesop would have on his career and on his legacy as an artist. This is part of the monthly lunchtime series Sneak Peek: New Research from the National Museum of Asian Art, where staff members present brief, personal perspectives and ongoing research, followed by discussion.

Hours: 11:00 am - 11:40 am Chicago time

Cost: Free

Registration: https://smithsonian.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_VSVKeUsNQb2C9rw9l-oHIg#/registration