Miller, Lilian (1895 - 1943), "Sunrise on Fujiyama, Japan"

Notes: Miller's greatest prints are likely the two views of Mt. Fuji in Moonlight on Fujiyama, Japan and Sunrise at Fujiyama, Japan. Along with Korean Junks at Sunset these were listed at $50 in 1929 and in 1941. The prints are meticulously made - a fact demonstrated by the existence of a trial print bearing extensive notes for color corrections. While the majesty of Mt. Fuji, the standard emblem of Japan, is undeniable, the prints seem more about the beauty of the mountain than about its role as a signifier for Japan.

In this state, the entire image radiates the first light of dawn which brings out the pastel hues of mountain, water and foliage. The textures of the print, too subtle to be captured in photographs, are created by Miller's mix of vegetable, mineral and oil-based pigments. The presence of the artist's hand in the work - complicates the Orientalism implicit in the scene, Nonetheless, the print is about the viewer's "esthetic delectation" of Japan, and thus Japan is associated exclusively with beauty. - Pacific Asia Museum; pg. 72-73.

Provenance: Acquired directly from a descendant of the L.M. Miller family. This was accompanied with the entire family collection of remaining works; including original paintings, pencil sketches and one of a kind proofs.