Making up Accounts

Mortimer Menpes

1901

Watercolour

Source: Japan, A Record in Colour, facing p. 166

Menpes's visit became something of a shopping expedition as he sought to order the best of Japanese craftsmanship for his home in London. He realised that Europeans could not make good purchases unless they showed discrimination: genuine craftsmen would not part with their work unless it was truly appreciated. Menpes was idealistic, perhaps, but he stuck firmly to his belief that aesthetics meant more in Japan than the mere exchange of money. — Jacqueline Banerjee

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