Review: SAAM's show of woodblock prints is awe-inspiring

Until now, the Seattle Asian Art Museum has been sadly lacking in that quintessential Japanese art form, the woodblock print. Happily, in honor of SAM's 75th anniversary, Mary and Allan Kollar promised the preponderance of their remarkable collection to the museum.

And what a legacy it is.

Approximately 60 of their exceptional prints from the 18th and 19th centuries are currently on view at the museum. They make it abundantly clear what's been missing. In addition to their beauty, the prints offer a window on Japanese life and culture and a reminder of how much Western art has been influenced by this genre.

Japanese prints are renowned for their bold, flat planes of color, vigorous line and striking composition. Their production was a team effort. The artist was contracted by a publisher to create an image. Once accepted, it was meticulously transferred to cherrywood blocks carved by superior craftsmen. Printers had the exacting task of aligning colors as they pulled the hundreds of prints.

Obviously quality varied, as did the purposes the prints served. All had artistic value, but many had additional functions — illustrations for poems, advertisements for theatrical presentations, fashion guides, erotica.

The best publishers employed the finest craftsmen, and this is an exhibition of the finest quality prints in three classes — Kabuki, beautiful women, landscapes. The Kabuki actors display stylized poses and facial expressions denoting (and advertising) the most emotionally powerful moments in their performances.

Utamaro, the premiere artist of beautiful women, is well-represented here, mostly with depictions of courtesans, the high-class prostitutes who were condoned and regulated by the government. They lived in walled pleasure enclaves with wide boulevards, teahouses and blooming trees. Japanese women wishing to be chic copied their fashions, hairstyles and poses.

Among the landscapes on view are two of the most famous: Hokusai's "Red Fuji" with its incredible color, and his "In the Well of the Wave ... " As you look at "Wave," pay attention to the geometric forms and their repetitions. The composition is awe-inspiring. Then look a little more closely. Note the boats and consider man's struggle against the force of nature.

Japanese prints captivated the imagination of Western artists from Impressionists to Whistler and O'Keefe. I predict this collection will captivate you, too.

Nancy Worssam: nworssam@earthlink.net