Plum Blossom
Artist |
IKENO Gyokuran |
|---|---|
Date |
Unknown |
Material |
Chinese ink on paper |
Donator |
Gift of Mr. AKATSUKA Keiichi |
Explanation |
Gyokuran, also well known as a poet in Kyoto’s Gion district, studied painting under Yanagisawa Kien, then married Ikeno Taiga and became one of his pupils. Plum blossoms are one of the classic subjects of literati painting, with the image of a plum tree blooming in spite of chill winds standing in for the ideal image of a reclusive scholar. In this work, the rounded plum tree trunk is painted using the wet-on-wet tarashikomi technique, with pale, diluted black ink producing flat areas of color. The flowers, represented by numerous circles, are also delicately rendered in various shades of ink. This sensitive work illustrates the aesthetic refinement of an artist who was also a poet. |