The popularity of East Asian art and manufactured goods spread across the United States during the 19th century due to the greater accessibility and trade advantages enjoyed by Western nations. Even Oxford, Ohio experienced an increased interest in East Asia. Annette Covington, an 1895 graduate of Western College, found herself so intrigued that she went to visit Japan from 1908-1909.
Annette Covington, April 10, 1909
Photograph
Special Collections, King Library
Letter from Annette Covington to Mary Williams, April 10, 1909
Ink on paper
Special Collections, King Library
Temple Gate, Kyoto, 1909
Oil on canvas
Gift of Gary Catron 2019.12
Buddhist Memorial Temple, Shiba Park, 1909
Oil on canvas
Gift of Dr. John Covington Williams, Mary Lea Williams, Dr. Isabella Riggs Williams, Laura Williams Brown, and Harley Procter Brown
1986.103
Mt. Hieizan, Kyoto, 1909
Oil on canvas
Gift of Dr. John Covington Williams, Mary Lea Williams, Dr. Isabella Riggs Williams, Laura Williams Brown, and Harley Procter Brown
1987.18
This landscape painting of Mount Hiei, zan meaning ‘mountain’, outside of Kyoto portrays an idea of Japan as lush and peaceful. Annette Covington’s paintings of Japanese architecture, including a Buddhist temple interior and a stone bridge, demonstrate her curiosity toward the features of her new environment that were most distinctively foreign to her. -Written by Astrid Cabello