General study of signature and seals of Chinese painters, calligraphers and collectors in Japanese collection and making the research materials into database

2002 Fiscal Year Final Research Report Summary

• Project/Area Number: 12610066
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Fine art history
• Research Institution: TOKYO NATIONAL MUSEUM
• Principal Investigator: MINATO Nobuyuki Curatorial Director, 学芸部, 学芸部長 (80113421)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): TOMITA Jun Chief Curator of Chinese Art, Department of Oriental Antiquities, 学芸部・東洋課, 中国美術室長 (20227622)
• Project Period (FY): 2000 – 2002
• Keywords: Chinese Paintings / Chinese Calligraphy / Seals of Painters and Calligraphers / Seals of Collectors / Signature of Painters, Calligraphers and Collectors / 落款

Research Abstract

We carried out a research on signatures and seals of the artists and collectors on Chinese paintings and calligraphic works in Japanese collections. First, we took actual size black and white photographs of the signatures and seal marks of the artists and collectors with 6×4.5size camera and were pasted on data cards for sorting. The photographs, together with those taken previously, were also made into digital images using a scanner for database. Seal marks too large to take actual size photographs were photographed with a digital camera. We discussed database of the materials with digital images; what method is most effective for the utilization of the actual size photographs of the signatures and seals. We need to further discuss this mater. We compiled a report which shows the basic format for the future publication of Signatures and Seals of the Artists and Collectors on Chinese Paintings and Calligraphic Works.