The Heart Sutra

Object Details

• Provenance

  About 755-?

  Kairyūōji Temple, Nara, Japan, method of acquisition unknown [1]

  By 2004-2013

  Sylvan Barnet (1926-2016) and William Burto (1921-2013) (owned jointly), method of acquisition unknown [2]

  2013-2014

  Sylvan Barnet and National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, bequeathed by William Burto to the Smithsonian [3]

  From 2014

  National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, gift of Sylvan Barnet and William Burto [4]

  Notes:

  [1] See Miyeko Murase, et al., “The Written Image: Japanese Calligraphy and Painting from the Sylvan Barnet and William Burto Collection” [exhibition catalog] (New York: Metropolitan Museum of Art, October 1, 2002- March 2, 2003), pp. 42-43; cat. 2: “This is one of numerous copies of the Heart Sutra discovered at Kairyūōji temple in Nara.” There has been no clear line of information on when the sutras were recovered, nor the circumstances of their dispersal from the temple. Additionally, see also Takahashi Yoji, ed., “Yasuragi no Bukkyō bijutsu”, vol. 25 of Kottō o tanoshimu, Bessatsu Taiyo (Tokyo: Heibonsha, 1999), p. 64. The Heart sutra is featured, although no collector or dealer is cited.

  [2] See object file F2014.6.1-19 “Japan, Heian period, Group of Calligraphies, Gift of Sylvan Barnet and William Burto. Documents: 2004-2013” for Gift Agreement between the Smithsonian Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery and Sylvan Barnet and William Burto. Signed by the Director on August 9, 2004, and counter-signed by Barnet and Burto August 13, 2004. The object is identified as “The Heart Sutra.” Additionally, see object file for a copy of the “Will of William Burto,” signed and dated February 14, 2011, Article I, “Executor. I appoint Sylvan Barnet, of Cambridge, Massachusetts, to be Executor of this will,” and Article II, “I give my art collection as follows: (1) To the Smithsonian Institution, Freer Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., all of my right, title and interest, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, all copyright and associated rights, in the following works of art,” including “The Heart Sutra,” described as “Segment of a handscroll mounted as a hanging scroll; ink on paper.” See also The William Burto Revocable Trust, signed and dated June 9, 2011.

  Sylvan Barnet (1926-2015) and William Burto (1921-2013) were scholars of English literature and collectors of Asian art, focusing on Korean and Japanese works. The two amassed one of the finest private collections of Zen calligraphy, which featured works from the Nara through the Edo periods. As a professor of English literature at Tufts University in the early 1960s, Barnet proposed unique editions of Shakespeare plays, complete with introductions and study aids, to New American Library. The publishing house would produce “The Signet Classic Shakespeare” from 1963 to 1972. Barnet served as general editor as well as providing introductions for several plays, and these popular editions were widely adopted by universities throughout the United States.

  Barnet and Burto purchased their first object, a Korean celadon bowl, in New York in 1963. Just a few years later, they purchased their first calligraphy from Nathan V. Hammer, a work by Jiun Onkō. Following William Burto’s death in 2013, his half of the collection was given to the The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; Harvard Art Museums; Metropolitan Museum of Art; and the National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, respectively. Before his death in 2016, Sylvan Barnet donated his half of the collection to the same institutions.

  [3] See note 2, and object file F2014.6.1-19 “Japan, Heian period, Group of Calligraphies, Gift of Sylvan Barnet and William Burto. Acquisition papers,” for Deed of Gift signed by Sylvan Barnet September 24, 2014, and counter-signed by the Director October 7, 2014. In the attached object list, it is noted that Barnet is giving the Freer Gallery of Art, Smithsonian Institution, his “50% share of ownership of: The Heart Sutra” described as “Nara period, ca. 755; Japan; Ink on paper,” with the credit line “Gift of Sylvan Barnet and William Burto in honor of Louis Allison Cort.” The object is part of the museum’s Freer Gallery of Art Collection.

  [4] See notes 2 and 3.

  Research updated June 4, 2024

• Collection

  Freer Gallery of Art Collection

• Exhibition History

  The Beginnings of Buddhism in Japan (October 14, 2017 to October 28, 2018)

  The Written Image: Japanese Calligraphy and Painting from the Sylvan Barnet and William Burto Collection (October 1, 2002 to March 02, 2003)

• Previous custodian or owner

  Kairyuoji Temple

  Sylvan Barnet (1926-2015)

  William Burto (1921-2013)

• Origin

  Japan

• Credit Line

  Gift of Sylvan Barnet and William Burto in honor of Louise Allison Cort

• Type

  Calligraphy

• Restrictions and Rights

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  700s

• Name

  Barnet, Sylvan, Burto, William, Kairyuoji Temple

• Place

  Japan

• Topic

  Heart Sutra, Late Nara (Tempyo) period (710 - 794), Art, Japanese Art

• Culture

  Buddhists, Japanese

• Object Type

  Calligraphy (visual works)