Pulling Boat in Early Spring

ca.1917

Japanese, 1879 - 1936

This scene of a boat amongst willows evokes the literati painting traditions of Japan and China. The burgeoning willow foliage indicates spring, and the lively activities along the riverbank mirror the renewed energy of the season. A blue-robed scholar in a small pavilion allows the viewer to imagine an intimate perspective on the landscape, while birds flying through the middle ground lend a sense of expansiveness to the image.

Ink and light colors on silk

80 1/8 x 22 1/8 in. (203.5 x 56.2cm)

Gift of Griffith and Patricia Way, in honor of the 75th Anniversary of the Seattle Art Museum

2010.41.40

Photo: Eduardo Calderon

Not currently on view

Resources

Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Asian Art Museum "Journeys in Landscape: Modern Art in Japan", November 26, 2004 - January 30, 2006

Published ReferencesMichiyo, Morioka; Berry, Paul. "Modern Masters of Kyoto: The Transformation of Japanese Painting Traditions," Seattle, WA: Seattle Art Museum, 1999, p. 180, illus. 47.

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