An extremely rare and beautiful piece of art! This is an original woodblock print titled “Tanabata” by the pioneering American woman artist Bertha Boynton Lum. This original antique woodblock print measures approx: 380mm x 183mm, it is signed, dated 1913, and numbered 117 in pencil. The print depicts the Chinese legend called Qixi brought to Japan in the 8th century. In Japan it is celebrated as Tanabata, the “Star Festival”. The story is of Princess Orihime the heavenly seamstress daughter of the god of the heavens, who weaved beautiful heavenly clothes, and stars in the sky by the river of the Milky Way. The story goes she became sad and despondent of ever finding love. Her father arranged for her to meet a cow herder who lived on the other side of the Milky Way. This angered her father who separated the two by the river of stars. She pleaded with her father to let them stay together and it was agreed they could meet on only one day a year… The 7th day of the 7th month. Upon the first year meeting they found the Milky Way to be too wide for her to cross. She became so despondent that a flock of magpies flew together to form a bridge so she could cross on their backs to meet her true love. It is said that if it is not a clear night or rains the magpies will not come and she must wait another year to meet her husband. Bertha Boynton Lum born Bertha Boynton Bull (1869) was an American artist that traveled the world. She was fascinated with Japanese Woodblock Printmaking and traveled to Japan to learn the craft. She quickly mastered the art and in 1912 was the only woman artist in the Tokyo International Exhibition. She lived in China for an period of time eventually passing away in Italy in 1954. She was originally trained at the Art Institute of Chicago. She was a member of Asiatic Society of Japan, California Society of Printmakers and published two books. She was a pioneer in the art of Woodblock prints by Americans and was a contemporary of artists such as: Helen Hyde, Elizabeth Keith, Lilian Miller. Her works are held in the library of Congress, and numerous museums and collections the world over. This print is extremely rare and very hard to find. This example has beautiful color, registration (colors inside their lines), impression. It is trimmed, has very very light toning, and a small area of very old adhesive to the lower left bottom of the print (could be removed by a conservation specialist). Guaranteed to be antique and original. The item “Extremely Rare And Beautiful Bertha Lum Woodblock Print Tanabata” is in sale since Tuesday, December 3, 2019. This item is in the category “Antiques\Asian Antiques\Japan\Prints”. The seller is “kpkitsune” and is located in Paso Robles, California. This item can be shipped to United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Denmark, Romania, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Czech republic, Finland, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Estonia, Australia, Greece, Portugal, Cyprus, Slovenia, Japan, China, Sweden, South Korea, Indonesia, Taiwan, South africa, Thailand, Belgium, France, Hong Kong, Ireland, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, Bahamas, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore, Switzerland, Norway, Saudi arabia, United arab emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Croatia, Malaysia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa rica, Panama, Trinidad and tobago, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Monaco, Viet nam, Uruguay, Russian federation.
- Primary Material: Paper
- Age: 1900-1940
- Featured Refinements: Japanese Woodblock Print
- Type: Paintings, Scrolls & Prints
- Original/Reproduction: Antique Original
- Region of Origin: Unknown
- Maker: Bertha Boynton Lum
