From the Archives: Taro Yashima

In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, the Phillips’s Library & Archives spotlights artist Taro Yashima Hartmann through materials in the archives. 

Founder Duncan Phillips maintained ongoing correspondence between 1948-1952 with Taro Yashima and his wife, Mitsu, who were then living in New York City. Yashima sent paintings to Phillips for his consideration for his museum several times and was encouraged by a number of small purchases. Tree (1940) is still part of the permanent collection.

In a letter dated April 4, 1948, Yashima sent works for consideration, asks about the possibilities for an exhibition, and expresses his admiration for a work by Cezanne he had seen in the gallery on a previous date.

In his response on April 19, Phillips states that he doesn’t feel Yashima is ready for an exhibition, but purchases one of the works and encourages his future career. From this reply, it is apparent that Yashima had seen Cezanne’s Seated Woman in Blue.