Reflections of Japan at the turning point of modernity: the exhibition of Japanese prints at the Musée Cernuschi

AttentionJapanese print lovers! For just over two months, the Musée Cernuschi, a sublime cultural venue nestled on the edge of the Parc Monceau, will be exhibiting a selection of Japanese prints from the Jean and Yvonne Tavernier collection. This fine collection, featuring two major movements in Japanese printmaking - ukiyo-e and Shin hanga - was bequeathed to the museum by the couple's son, Paul.

For the record, it was between 1937 and 1946 that Jean and Yvonne Tavernier built up their Asian art collection, dedicated to the graphic arts. At the time, the couple were living in Shanghai. Thanks to this bequest, the Musée Cernuschi now boasts a collection of Shin hanga prints, a movement that includes such major figures as Yoshida Hiroshi, Kawase Hasui and Ohara Koson.

On view free of charge from March 26 to June 9, 2024, this exhibition entitled " Reflections of Japan at the Turn of Modernity " is an opportunity to step back in time and evoke the transition from the 19th to the 20th century in Japan through these Japanese prints, presented to the public for the first time.

Unveiled in the Musée Cernuschi's temporary exhibition space, these works reflect developments in the art of printmaking, both aesthetically and technically.

The first part of the " Reflections of Japan at the Turn of Modernity " exhibition is devoted to ukiyo-e prints, created during the Edo period (1603-1868). The art of these prints reflects the refined pleasures and entertainments of the urban bourgeoisie, as exemplified by those of Kunisada (1786-1865) and Kuniyoshi (1797-1861).

For this first exhibition space, the Musée Cernuschi is also announcing a selection of triptychs restored for the occasion, as well as albums of prints, " very rarely exhibited due to their fragility ", says the museum.

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In the second part, the installation focuses on the Shin hanga movement, with an exhibition of modern prints. These evoke two major themes, flowers and birds (kachō-ga) and landscapes (fūkei-ga). Visitors can admire works by Yoshida Hiroshi (1876-1950), Itō Shinsui (1898-1972) and Kawase Hasui (1883-1957), displayed in the final section of the exhibition.

To discover these Japanese prints from the Jean and Yvonne Tavernier collection, head for the Musée Cernuschi from March 26 to June 9, 2024.

Musée Cernuschi: the free museum, the jewel of Asian arts in Paris
The Musée Cernuschi is the museum of Asian arts in Paris, tracing the history of the Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Vietnamese peoples since Neolithic times. The collection includes works acquired by the city, including 5,000 bequeathed by Henri Cernuschi in the 19th century. The museum's centerpiece is a large bronze Buddha, which dominates the immense, high-ceilinged hall housing the permanent collections. [Read more]