For my artwork I worked in Craft Artist 2 and made a collage of some of the elements of the book. Paris, the Ephrussi house in Vienna, Japan, Charles Ephrussi and three of the netsuke. The Hare, the Rat and the Barrel Maker.
Jen x
Friday, 30 August 2013
Artful Readers Club - The Hare With Amber Eyes by Edmund De Waal
This book has been on my bedside for ages and I confess to not really knowing what it was going to be about, it was a recommended read. It is in fact the real life saga of a family going back to the 1870s. Edmund De Waal the author inherited the netsukes, small Japanese carved objects, from his uncle and set out to find out how they came into the family. I did not find this an easy read as there were many words I did not know and had to look up in the dictionary. It is easier when on my kindle. It was however worth the effort. It is a well written book and the history of the family is fascinating. This Jewish family left Odessa and travelled to Vienna and then Paris. They made their fortune and collected many art treasures among them the netsukes. The book charts the course of their ownership within the family and the confiscation of the families possessions when the Nazis invaded Austria. We know the netsuke survived this terrible period of the family history as Edmund inherits them. They ended up with his uncle Iggy in Japan. I will say no more in case someone wishes to read the book.
For my artwork I worked in Craft Artist 2 and made a collage of some of the elements of the book. Paris, the Ephrussi house in Vienna, Japan, Charles Ephrussi and three of the netsuke. The Hare, the Rat and the Barrel Maker.
Jen x
For my artwork I worked in Craft Artist 2 and made a collage of some of the elements of the book. Paris, the Ephrussi house in Vienna, Japan, Charles Ephrussi and three of the netsuke. The Hare, the Rat and the Barrel Maker.
Jen x
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Oh Jen, this has been on the top of my TBR list and I'll get to it when we're finished with the "required" books we signed up for. I'm glad you enjoyed it and am looking forward to reading it. Your art tells the story... well done!!
ReplyDeleteI adored this book - in fact I think it is one of my all time favourites! I'm so glad to find another person who enjoyed it. I love your artwork to illustrate it too. How I would love to own a netsuke. Julie Ann xx
ReplyDeleteI confess, I had NO idea what a netsuke was, so I was glad when you showed what three of them looked like. I was most impressed with your art, and really enjoyed your review, too. I could tell this was a book that had a lasting impression. Great job.
ReplyDeleteLoved your review. This sounds like a book for me! Your collage is super and gives a tantalizing glimpse of the narrative.
ReplyDeleteJanet xx
Wow that sounds a very interesting story(fascinated by family history)...and the little Hare carving is so gorgeous. Love you collage piece :D XXX
ReplyDeleteI had no idea what a netsuke is either :) I feel like I have learned something today - thank you! :) gorgeous collage
ReplyDeleteSounds like an interesting read and I love your collage. :)
ReplyDeleteOhh I never heard of this book, but seems it is popular with quite a few people. I may have to put it on my list. Great collage, would make a wonderful postcard.
ReplyDeleteMy mum keeps telling me to read this, maybe I will now! Lovely collage x
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