Horseman in Late Autumn
ca. 1800
Ki Baitei apprenticed under Yosa Buson and, like his master, excelled in both poetry and painting. Together with Yokoi Kinkoku and two others, Baitei was known as one of the "four guardians" of Buson's style; in his lifetime he remained largely in Buson's shadow. His mature style, however, reveals an original talent unencumbered by the weight of his teacher's legacy. Baitei is remembered most for his landscapes, whose often fantastical rock formations fill the picture plane without overwhelming the viewer. The lone horseman climbing the steep path in this painting appears to be enjoying the surrounding scenery. Such carefree, content figures were a common element in Baitei's paintings.
Ink and color on silk
75 3/4 x 24 5/8 in. (192.4 x 62.6 cm)
Floyd A. Naramore Memorial Purchase Fund
75.36