Detail from the "Sistine Chapel," Otsuka Museum of Art, Japan
Susan Brown
14 July 2010
The Otsuka Museum in Japan is a curious place. There are hundreds of reproductions of Western Masterpieces, brought to the Japanese public courtesy of Mr. Otsuka, a pharmaceutical tycoon. One can praise Mr. Otsuka for bringing such treasures to Japan, but there is also an oddness to the collection. While the 3 dimensional pieces work reasonably well, the paintings fall flat--they lack the luster of the oils and temperas of not only the originals, but also of painted reproductions. A printed ceramic tile technique was used for all works in the collection--hence my inclusion in the technology segment of the portal. Susan Brown, July 14, 2010
