The Robert F. and Patricia J. Schmitt Collection of Japanese Prints

Exhibition Website

Jan 14 2017 - Apr 23 2017

Figge Art Museum

Davenport, IA

Step into the fascinating world of Japanese woodblock prints in the Lewis Gallery. The exhibition features 15 prints by preeminent Japanese artists of the 19th and 20th centuries recently gifted to the Figge from the Robert F. and Patricia J. Schmitt Collection. Japanese prints are revered for their thrilling narratives, rich tones and dynamic compositions which have inspired generations of artists across the globe. Created by an exacting process of design, carving and multiple layers of printing, the works in this exhibition represent the highest level of technical skill and expressive power.

Art is an enduring passion for Patricia J. Schmitt, a former commercial artist and a docent at the Rockford Art Museum for over two decades. During a visit to Kyoto, Japan, she and her husband visited a craft center where they saw Japanese artisans preparing blocks for the printing process. Captivated by the stories, layout and design elements, she purchased her first woodblock print during the visit. After collecting the prints and appreciating them in her home, Patricia decided to donate them to the Figge Art Museum in Davenport (where she has family connections).

Credit: Exhibition overview from museum website


  • Works on Paper
  • Asian
  • 19th Century
  • Japanese
  • Toyohara Kunichika
  • and others

Exhibition Venues & Dates