1887‐1936
Tsuchida Bakusen was born in Niigata Prefecture.
He studied under Takeuchi Seiho after studying at Suzuki Shonen’s organization.
After entering the Kyoto City Specialist School of Painting (Kyoto City Kaiga Sen-mon Gakko) in 1909,
he began focusing on Western modern art.
He sought for free expression of characteristics, and developed an avant-garde art movement.
In 1918, he participated in establishing the Association for the Creation of New Japanese-style Painting (Kokuga Sosaku Kyokai).
He pursued the harmony between Western paintings and Japanese decoration.
In his later years, he created works that offer intelligent aesthetics and warm interiority.
1924 46.5×52.0 cm
This work highlights the Japanese painting style of taking a blank space and subject, while the realism of Western painting can be also seen in the depiction of the raw fish and the dried fish, ensuring that they can be clearly distinguished. This work was produced soon after Bakusen returned from Europe, offering the remarkable influence of Western painting. The painter, however, skillfully integrated the essence of Western painting with that of Japanese painting.
1932 152.0×69.5 cm
The flowers favored by Bakusen are clear and fragrant, including the Sunset Hibiscus depicted here as well as mustard, peonies, morning glories, lotus, and chrysanthemum. This work is also soothing, and Bakusen’s superlative grace floats over it.
