Frank Lloyd Wright and Japanese art

FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT is best known as a revolutionary American architect. A hallmark of his work is sensitivity to the natural environment—Fallingwater, the house he built over a waterfall, is a prime example. But Mr Wright had a second career as a collector of and dealer in Japanese block prints, continuing this business until his death in 1959 at the age of 91. At times, he made more money selling prints than he did from architecture.

A small but insightful exhibition at the Art Institute of Chicago, comprising prints, architectural drawings from Mr Wright’s studio and archival objects, highlights the Japan’s deep influence on his work.

Mr Wright was first captivated by Japanese art in 1893, when he saw Japan’s pavilions at the sprawling world fair in Chicago…