Object Type
Artist
Period
Materials
Creation Date
Dimensions
|
Object Type |
19th Century Japanese Screen Two Panel |
|---|---|---|
Artist |
Kiitsu | |
Period |
Late Edo | |
Materials |
Color on Silk | |
Creation Date |
ca. 1840 | |
Dimensions |
132.5 cm. x 141.6 cm. (52 1/8 in. x 55 3/4 in.) |
Commentary |
Kiitsu was an ignored artist until only recent times. He was Hoitsu's secretary, and being of lower rank he went unnoticed. Only the greatest of artists could have painted this willow; look at the light spaces between the leaves, follow it down to the tips and notice how these resultant shapes just dance with the leaves. Each and every one varied, he must have known exactly where every leaf was to be placed before he ever started to paint the branch. The heron was not painted over the willow, and on close inspection it is mostly just the color of the pure silk. The tree trunks were drawn virtually with one brush stroke which gives this screen its simplicity, and yet Kiitsu has not denied the viewer anything. Kiitsu was so proud of this painting that he signed his name in gold which is barely perceptible. - JDP |