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Kiitsu-Hochu Fan Screen

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	Object Type	19th Century Japanese Screen Two Panel
	Artist	Kiitsu-Hochu
	Period	Late Edo
	Materials	Color on Paper Fan
	Creation Date	ca. 1820
	Dimensions	156 cm. x 166 cm. (61 3/8 in. x 65 3/8 in.)

Commentary

This screen helps to show that Hochu really was a good painter; he once had mastered the Rimpa traditional style. As Picasso's early drawings prove his talent and give credence to his later works, this screen allows us to realize that Hochu really did know what he was doing as he developed a bolder and more controversial style. The fans themselves, with Hochu's seal, are pasted on this screen; then the ribs to the fans, the half-opened, and the closed fans were all painted by Kiitsu. So this was probably Kiitsu's own collection of Hochu fans. Kiitsu signed this painting "added on by Sei-sei Kiitsu."- JDP   Hochu's seven fan paintings are assembled for the screen. The style of painting differs from that of his other Fans screen (plate 32). At the left bottom corner Kiitsu signed "Tsuika Seisei Kiitsu" and placed a "Shukurinsai" seal in red letters in a round seal. Kiitsu arranged Hochu's seven fans on the screen and added his painting of narcissi on a half-opened fan. The subjects of the screen range from four seasonal flowers to figures from the classical stories, but there is no organized theme in this screen. One of the characteristics of Hochu is in his simple approach to art, without paying much attention to the traditional Korin-school style. However, contrary to his usual style, this work is painted with traditional Yamato-e and Korin styles. It is difficult to speculate without enough information on Hochu's artistic developments, but it is possible that this work was painted at his earlier stage, before he formed his own style. According to the records he was active as an artist about the same time when Sakai Hoitsu was. It is natural for Kiitsu to show his interest in Hochu who painted in the Korin style. "Hochu kore shasu" -signature, "Hochu" - red letters in a square seal, and "Hochu" -white letters in a square seal are used. (Murashige)