Art of the Japanese Postcard: The Leonard A. Lauder Collection at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

More than just casual mail pieces, these postcards were often designed by prominent artists and had a visual impact that belied their modest format. Remarkably beautiful examples of graphic design in their own right, they also reflect the influx of Western currents such as Art Nouveau and Art Deco. Art of the Japanese Postcard presents 300 full-color examples of these cards, culled from the remarkable Leonard A. Lauder Collection. They are astonishing not only for their beauty and the quality of their printing, but also for the insight they provide into contemporary Japanese art. Authoritative essays by leading scholars of Japanese art and culture, plus a statement by the collector himself, highlight the design, development, and cultural function of these rarely studied, but highly influential and visually exciting, expressions of graphic genius.