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‘An Eye to the East’: Japan’s Influence on the Cos Cob Artists

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A kimono is on display at the Bush-Holley House as part of the "An Eye on the East" exhibit. (Amanda Kleinberg photo)
A kimono is on display at the Bush-Holley House as part of the “An Eye on the East” exhibit. (Amanda Kleinberg photo)

By Amanda Kleinberg
Sentinel Correspondent

“An Eye to the East,” a Japanese art and culture-inspired gallery exhibit, is on display at the Bush-Holley House through Feb. 26. The Bush-Holley House, a National Historic Landmark, is the centerpiece of the Greenwich Historical Society on Cos Cob Harbor.

The collection of paintings, prints, photographs, carvings, ceramics and textiles depict the influence of Japanese Art during the late 19th and early 20th centuries on Western culture, most notably on the Cos Cob Art Colony. During this period, the bucolic Cos Cob was a haven for artists. The Holley boarding house was home to one of the first American Impressionist art colonies, which included renowned painters John Henry Twachtman, J. Alden Weir and Childe Hassam. Like their French counterparts, the Cos Cob impressionists drew inspiration from the graceful woodblock prints of Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849) and others that were then new to Europe.

“An Eye to the East” highlights themes and background stories that provide a framework for better understanding the art and objects on display. Each docent-led tour lasts about 30 minutes. Each of the participants on the tour was encouraged to view the pieces from his or her own perspective, to which the curator would then provide a historical background. The curator ensured each viewer that “there is no correct answers to each question” and “everyone can have a different interpretation of the artwork.”

Among the most fascinating pieces in the show is a majestic kimono, the traditional Japanese garments. The kimono on display dates back to the early 1900’s. Within the beautiful movement of the embroidery is a rooster. The year 2017 marks the year of the rooster, making this a very relevant piece in the exhibit. The workmanship on the kimono includes painting and embroidery that make it one of a kind.

Ann Wilton, a resident of Milford, Conn., said that she drove thirty minutes to see the embroidered rooster: “It was one of the most beautiful kimonos I’ve ever seen.”

The contribution of Japanese artist Genjiro Yeto, who spent part of each year from 1895 to 1901 at the Holley boarding house, is on view in a separate gallery. His work was provided to the Greenwich Historical Society by a recent donation made by his granddaughter.

Informal Curator’s Eye Sessions are available every Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday at 12:15 p.m. The price of admission is ten dollars. The museum also sells works by local artists, books, cards, and gifts. The Storehouse Gallery is located at 39 Strickland Road in Cos Cob.

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