Robert H. Pruyn Collection of 90 Hand-drawn illustrations on paper and silk Extraordinary illustrations of Daimyo residences and foreign consulates in Edo
Extraordinary and important collection of 45 doro-e and 45 paintings on silk showing many of the daimyo residences, or yashiki, of Edo and other views in Edo [Tokyo]. Of the 90 paintings, most are of daimyo residences, but the paintings on silk include views of the legations of the Dutch, French, American, and British legations at the temples of Chōōji, Saikaiji, Zenpukuji, and Tozenji respectively. There is also a painting on silk of Korinji, the temple where Henry Heusken was buried. All 90 items were acquired by the second United States Minister Resident to Japan, Robert Hewson Pruyn (1815-82), who lived in Japan from May 1862 to April 1865. Pruyn sent numerous items purchased in Japan back to the United States as mentioned in his letters home, including these items. Almost all the paintings are captioned (the doro-e in English and Japanese, the silk paintings in English), presumably by Pruyn’s interpreter or, quite possibly, Pruyn’s teenage son, Bertie (Robert C. Pruyn 1847-1934), who spent about two years with him in Japan.
Occasionally, single doro-e of sights in Edo and other cities appear on the market but usually in poor condition and not so artistically special, so it is very rare to find such a large number depicting a common theme and almost certainly painted by the same highly-skilled artist. Regarding the exquisite illustrations on silk, we have been unable to find any similar illustrations. It would seem very likely that Pruyn visited all the places depicted and had both the doro-e and silk paintings made for him by a Japanese artist who accompanied him because he wanted to learn about the different lords, where they lived, as well as their rank and status.
Many of the paintings appear to be the only known colour illustrations of such buildings and almost all the buildings were destroyed prior to 1868. A unique and very important collection, unseen by the public for 160 years and, thus, never before offered for sale.
Provenance: Held in the Pruyn family for about 160 years and purchased directly from a descendant of Pruyn. In fine condition. The doro-e measure approx. 33.5 x 24.5cm each and the silk paintings approx. 32 x 22.5 (incl. paper frames)
