The Written Image: Japanese Calligraphy and Painting from the Sylvan Barnet and William Burto Collection

The Written Image offers an in-depth look at Japanese calligraphy and painting from the Sylvan Barnet and William Burto Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. This digital PDF edition brings the celebrated 2002–2003 exhibition catalogue to readers who value scholarly art history. With instant download access, the book is available for study and reference on a range of devices.

The catalogue accompanies the exhibition held at the Metropolitan Museum from October 1, 2002, to March 2, 2003. It documents a remarkable private collection built over four decades by two American professors of English literature.

Book Overview

Compiled by Miyeko Murase and her colleagues, this catalogue documents the exhibition of the same name held at the Metropolitan Museum from October 1, 2002, to March 2, 2003. It presents works of calligraphy and painting that reflect the collectors’ deep engagement with Zen aesthetics and the broader Japanese visual tradition. The book includes essays, catalogue entries, and an appendix on mountings.

What You’ll Discover Inside

• Essays by Sylvan Barnet and William Burto, including “Collectors’ Foreword” and “Some Western Thoughts on Shodo: The Way of Writing”
• An introduction to Japanese calligraphy in the Barnet and Burto Collection by Miyeko Murase
• Catalogue sections covering sacred texts, sacred images, writings in kana script and correspondence, writings of Zen monks, and eccentric masters
• A chronological overview from the Jomon period through the Edo period
• An appendix on mountings for Japanese calligraphy and paintings by Sondra Castile
• A bibliography and index for further research

Why This Book Matters

This catalogue documents a collection that is virtually unique outside Japan. The collectors pursued works of calligraphy and painting that many Japanese scholars and collectors find daunting. Their gifts to the Metropolitan Museum have significantly strengthened its holdings in Japanese calligraphy and religious icons. The book contributes to scholarship on Japanese art and to the appreciation of calligraphy as a visual art.

Book Details

Device Compatibility

This is a digital download; no physical item will be shipped. After purchase, you can access the PDF through the download link provided. The file works with Kindle apps, tablets, desktop readers, and mobile reading apps that support PDF files.

FAQ

How soon will I receive the file? Immediately after purchase, you can download the PDF from your account.

Will a physical book be shipped? No, this is a digital product delivered electronically.

Which devices are supported? The PDF can be read on computers, tablets, smartphones, and compatible e-readers.

This catalogue is a valuable reference for art lovers, students, and anyone interested in Japanese visual culture. Add it to your digital library today.

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