(26 April 2018) The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston has contributed approximately 6,900 additional images of works in diverse media across its broad and comprehensive collecting areas to the Artstor Digital Library. The extensive selection in Artstor features highlights from the encyclopedic collection including ancient works from different cultures; the arts of many countries across Asia; icons of western painting, both European and American; works on paper; sculpture and decorative arts; and the creations and artifacts of indigenous civilizations across the Americas.
The museum’s current contribution to Artstor also encompasses diverse curatorial areas. There is a particular emphasis on decorative arts and works on paper from the Asian (especially Chinese), American, and European departments.
One of the museum’s most beloved works from China is the painting Court Ladies Preparing Newly Woven Silk, early 12th century, attributed to the Northern Song Emperor Huizong, a handscroll nearly 6 feet long (8 feet with colophons) executed on silk. A second scroll painting from the Southern Song Dynasty, Four Dragons, mid-13th century was made on paper and the painted surface extends 8 feet.
These and other illustrations are in the announcement here.
