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Paris, France

Utagawa Yoshitora1862

Asian Art Museum

Asian Art Museum
San Francisco, United States

Nothing in this print is recognizable as being in Paris, and art historian Julia Meech has noted that it "looks suspiciously like the harbor of Marseilles." Excerpts from her translation of the text on the right side of the print give a flavor of, as she says, its "misguided guide to French history":
The great city of Paris has a sturdy castle built facing the ocean [Paris is over 100 miles from the ocean], and on the tower of the castle is placed a statue of the king who founded the nation. . . . The people are all brilliant and excel in artistic accomplishments.
. . . In foreign trade activities she matches the great capitals of America and Britain. . . . The revival of this nation was thanks to a so-called emperor named Napoleon Bonaparte. . . .

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  • Title: Paris, France
  • Creator: Utagawa Yoshitora (Japanese, active 1836 - 1866) (Artist)
  • Date Created: 1862
  • Physical Dimensions: H. 14 in x W. 29 1/2 in, H. 35.6 cm x W. 74.9 cm (entire image)
  • Rights: Public Domain
  • Medium: Ink and colors on paper
  • Credit Line: Asian Art Museum, Gift of Mr. Richard Gump, B81D7.a-.c
Asian Art Museum

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