http://art.thewalters.org/feed/ Images from the Walters Art Museum, in Baltimore, Maryland en-us Copyright 2017 The Walters Art Museum http://art.thewalters.org/images/logo_feed.png http://art.thewalters.org/ http://art.thewalters.org/detail/21270/writing-box-and-implements-suzuri-bako-with-a-pheasant-beside-a-stream/

Implements inside the box: A rectangular inkstone with a depression for water is positioned in the center of the box. On the right side are brushes and a stylus, while on left is an encased knife used to cut paper. The enamel piece above, in the shape of hollyhock leaves, is a water-dropper. An ink stick (sumi) would have been included in the set. The sumi is a small stick of solid ink that is turned into usable ink by grinding it on the inkstone and adding water. Lid with pheasant beside a stream: The inlaid silver Japanese text on the lid is a partial line from a poem in Lady Murasaki Shikibu's early 11th-century novel The Tale of Genji. In chapter 29, "The Royal Outing," the emperor invites Genji to go hunting in the mountains outside Kyoto. Genji sends his regrets that he cannot join the royal party. The emperor decides to send Genji a couple of pheasants with the following poem attached: Deep in the snows of Mount Oshio Are ancient pheasants' tracks. Would that you might see them. The box makes a poignant reference to this classical poem, as it holds the tools of a poet.]]> 2017-07-09T00:00:00-04:00 http://art.thewalters.org/detail/21270/writing-box-and-implements-suzuri-bako-with-a-pheasant-beside-a-stream/ http://art.thewalters.org/detail/83613/colophon-13/

This folio from Walters manuscript W.610 contains 1 of 6 short colophons in Arabic with neither date nor scribe's name.]]> 2017-07-08T00:00:00-04:00 http://art.thewalters.org/detail/83613/colophon-13/ http://art.thewalters.org/detail/12165/portrait-of-a-lady-7/

The flamboyance of the drapery, both around the woman's shoulders and behind her, shows the influence of French portraiture--geared to the ambitions of the aristocracy--throughout Europe.]]> 2017-07-07T00:00:00-04:00 http://art.thewalters.org/detail/12165/portrait-of-a-lady-7/ http://art.thewalters.org/detail/11858/plaque-with-gethsemane/

The scene is placed on a hatched ground beneath an ogee arch with brickwork above. The plaque is from a casket like Walters 71.251. The same subject appears on that large casket, but the designs are totally different. There are considerable traces of polychromy in red, blue, and gilt.]]> 2017-07-06T00:00:00-04:00 http://art.thewalters.org/detail/11858/plaque-with-gethsemane/ http://art.thewalters.org/detail/15997/leaf-from-book-of-hours-77/

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The movement of this clock is marked D. F. with a pinecone, indicating Augsburg as its city of origin. It is typical of the elaborate clocks with symbolic associations for which that city became known in the later 16th and 17th centuries. Urns had been used since antiquity for the ashes of the dead, while on the silver ovals are allegorical representations of the four seasons.]]> 2017-07-01T00:00:00-04:00 http://art.thewalters.org/detail/15676/clock-in-the-form-of-an-urn-2/ http://art.thewalters.org/detail/30551/the-buddha-amidas-descent/

According to Japanese Buddhists of the Pure Land sect, mere faith in Amida (Amitabha), the Buddha of the western paradise, will be rewarded with rebirth there. In this painting, Amida descends to greet the believer at death. He is accompanied by his attendants Seishi and Kannon (Avalokitesvara), who holds the lotus throne that will carry the believer's soul to paradise. "I shall go when Amida comes to invite me; a ray of light suddenly shines forth between his eyebrows; music sounds out anew astonishing my ears."]]> 2017-06-30T00:00:00-04:00 http://art.thewalters.org/detail/30551/the-buddha-amidas-descent/ http://art.thewalters.org/detail/37603/initial-n-with-battle-between-crusaders-and-forces-of-qilij-arslan-in-asia-minor-2/

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Isis was a goddess of kingship and magical power. Images of her as a nursing mother were believed to protect women and children.]]> 2017-06-28T00:00:00-04:00 http://art.thewalters.org/detail/16698/isis-nursing-harpocrates/ http://art.thewalters.org/detail/7968/mercury-at-ease/

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Walters manuscript W.598 is an illuminated and illustrated Safavid copy of the History of Nigaristan (Iran), known as Kitab-i Nigaristan or Tarikh-i Nigaristan by Ahmad Ghaffari (died 975 AH/AD 1567-1568). The colophon indicates that it was completed on 5 Shawwal 976 AH/AD 1569. The manuscript opens with a double-page illuminated frontispiece, and there are 8 paintings illustrating the text in a style that has been associated with the school of painting at Shiraz. The dark brown/black leather binding, which is contemporary with the manuscript, has a large central panel with oval and pendants. The border is comprised of cartouches alternating with roundels. All are gold-brushed and decorated with floral and cloud motifs.]]> 2017-06-25T00:00:00-04:00 http://art.thewalters.org/detail/33006/history-of-nigaristan-2/ http://art.thewalters.org/detail/3941/pendant-of-musician-with-feather-headdress-playing-an-instrument/

Humans in Pre-Conquest Panamanian art may wear headdresses that associate them with animals to address a shamanistic context. Such images of male figures serving as pendants wear only necklaces, belts, and ear ornaments.]]> 2017-06-24T00:00:00-04:00 http://art.thewalters.org/detail/3941/pendant-of-musician-with-feather-headdress-playing-an-instrument/