WELCOME TO OLLIS 29TH YEAR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF DENVER > COURSES/REGISTRATION > Full Course Catalog > All Courses

JAPANESE WOODBLOCK PRINTS IN THE EDO PERIOD

While I had seen Japanese woodblock prints in the past and often gave them only a passing glance, I have now studied them in some depth. I am astonished at the skill and craftsmanship involved in their creation, the stories they portray, and the beauty they capture. They cover a wide range of subjects of broad appeal – beautiful women, kabuki actors, scenes from history and folk tales, travel scenes and landscapes, and flora and fauna. Using a combination of lecture and video, we will delve into Japanese culture of the period, look at historical Japanese woodblock printmaking technique, show the evolution of woodblock printmaking and highlight the dominant figures in the Edo period (1615-1868). And of course, we will look at some of the most beautiful Japanese prints ever made. Japanese prints have had a huge impact on Western art over the last 350 years. Prepare to be awed by this art form that was hugely popular with the lower echelons of Japanese society and that is now regarded as the epitome of Japanese elegance, style, and artistic skill. No extracurricular reading is required.

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