James F. McCabe (active Boston, 1900-1914)
Okakura Kakuzo, about 1904
Gelatin silver print
This sepia-toned gelatin silver print photograph shows the head and torso of Okakura Kakuzo. He is wearing a hakama and haori, which consist of a white undergarment, medium dark pants tied at the waist, a shirt, and a dark, loose jacket tied with a tasseled cord. He has medium skin, full dark hair parted in the middle and a dark mustache. He gazes slightly downward and to his left.
Chinese Room
Commentary
This image depicts the art historian Okakura Kakuzō (1862-1913) who was friends with Isabella Stewart Gardner from 1904 until his death. The two met when Okakura worked at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston where he was curator of Japanese and Chinese art. The close friendship between Gardner and Okakura is evident in their correspondence, as well as in a number of personal gifts that Okakura gave Gardner, which are now part of the museum’s collection.