1940／Color on paper, hanging scroll
73.5 x 94.0 cm
SUMMARY
This piece is dated in the note as “Imperial Year 2600”, so it was created in 1940. This was the year that commemorated the 2600th anniversary of the accession of Emperor Jinmu to the throne, and it featured many events of celebration across the nation. Taikan held exhibitions entitled Yokoyama Taikan 2600 Imperial Anniversary Commemoration Exhibition, at the Takashimaya and Mitsukoshi department stores in Nihonbashi. It is famous that he showed ten pieces with the theme of the ocean and another ten with the theme of mountains, and that he dedicated the proceeds of these exhibitions to the military. This piece is thought to have been made, in the spirit of celebration, either for a similar show or for a personal order. On the large-scale surface, thin sumi ink and gohun (“whitewash pigment”) highlight Mount Fuji in all its magnificence and divinity. The top of the mountain suggests it was painted from the Shizuoka area, to the south-west.
ARTIST
Yokoyama Taikan
1868-1958
Born in Ibaraki, Yokoyama Taikan was a member of the first graduating class of the Tokyo School of Fine Arts. In 1898, following his master Okakura Tenshin, he participated in the founding of the Japan Art Academy and published work featuring the mossen (“painting without outline”) technique, inspired by elements of Western painting. Later, as the Academy moved, he came to live in Izura in Ibaraki. In 1914, following his late master’s will, he revived the Academy. He spent his entire life in pursuit of his master’s ideals, and established a magnanimous artistic world that was unique to him. In 1937 he became one of the first people to receive the Cultural Medal.
List of artworks by the same artist
INFORMATION
Friday, April 26 - Sunday, June 2, 2024
Hokuriku Shinkansen Fukui/Tsuruga opening project “Yokoyama Taikan Exhibition” Fukui Fine Arts Museum (Fukui, Japan)
Saturday, April 29 - Sunday, June 25, 2017
The Collection of the Tokyo Fuji Art Museum: East and West Encounters Niihama City Museum of Art (Ehime, Japan)
Saturday, November 15 - Sunday, January 18, 2015
The Quintessence of Japanese Paintings Takasaki Tower Museum of Art (Gunma, Japan)
Saturday, March 16 - Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Nihon-ga Masterpieces of Tokyo Fuji Art Museum The Niigata Prefectural Museum of Modern Art (Niigata, Japan)
Saturday, October 10 - Sunday, November 29, 2009
Excellent Works of Modern Japanese Paintings Nariwa Museum (Okayama, Japan)
Wednesday, June 29 - Sunday, August 7, 1994
The Beauty and Spirit of Japan: Treasures of Japanese Art from the TFAM Collection National Museum of Colombia (Santafe de Bogota, Colombia)
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