Lentepatronen voor de hoofdstad 1885 - 1890

This is the cover of an anonymous book entitled "Lentepatronen voor de hoofdstad." Bound in the traditional Japanese style, this book’s cover is mostly unadorned save for a title cartouche in Japanese, and several labels indicating this volume’s history as part of a Dutch library collection. The book comes from a time when Japan was opening its doors to the west, and the Dutch were some of the few westerners allowed to trade there. Japan's rich artistic traditions began to intersect with Western tastes. The designs inside were likely intended for export. The book's later presence in a Dutch library tells a story of cultural exchange and the circulation of design ideas. Understanding such an object involves tracing its journey through different social and institutional contexts, from its creation in Japan to its life in a Dutch library. By examining the book’s physical details and historical records, we can learn more about the global exchange of art and ideas.