1953 Exhibition Japanese Painting, Sculpture/Met. NYC

1953 Catalog for "Exhibition of Japanese Painting and Sculpture," sponsored by the Government of Japan. In one year, the exhibition travelled to: the National Gallery of Art in Washington, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Seattle Art Museum.  Color frontispiece of 17th century "Thunder God."  Five other full-page color plates.  Remaining images are black-and-white.  207 pages.  Published by H.K. Press, Washington. 

Catalog shows the 91 items of the exhibition--"what is probably the greatest collection of Japanese paintings and sculpture ever to leave Japan....The collection contains celebrated treasures from the ancient temples of Nara and Kyoto, as well as famous works of art from public and private collections....assembled under the auspices of the Commission for the Protection of Cultural Properties of Japan."  Patrons were Their Imperial Highnesses Prince and Princess Takamatsu.  Catalog includes introductory historical sketch.

When the exhibition opened at the Met, the NY Times art critic called it "the most visually enchanting show the museum has ever held."

Catalog measures roughly 10 1/2" by 8 1/2".  Tan cover, in excellent condition.  Spine has light soiling, and there's one dark line on the back.  Title page has a little crinkling at one place, but otherwise the pages are clean and crisp, with no marks or tears.  Almost like the catalog was given out yesterday.