Azalea and Butterfly

ca.1910

Japanese, 1862-1918

Of the four principal students of Kôno Bairei (1844-1895), Hôbun was the best known for flower painting. In his later works Hôbun sought to create dramatic images, here through the flamboyant red of the azalea and the broad, bold strokes indicating a meandering rivulet. Even though he stayed within the bounds of traditional themes, Hôbun often omitted underdrawing, demonstrating his commitment to a more spontaneous expression of subject matter.

Ink and colors on silk

96 1/8 x 28 1/4 in. (244.2 x 71.8 cm)

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

2010.41.3

Not currently on view

Resources

Published ReferencesMichiyo, Morioka; Berry, Paul. "Modern Masters of Kyoto: The Transformation of Japanese Painting Traditions," Seattle, WA: Seattle Art Museum, 1999, p. 114, illus. 19.

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