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Mountain Village in Spring

1861

Japanese, 1825 - 1891

By the end of his life, Hyakunen had seen the arrival of Western-style buildings and clothes and had ridden on trains. But, like many artists of his generation, he painted images of a utopian rural life that was derived from the literati painting tradition. Works of this kind were popular among Kyoto merchants as they provided a respite from the complexities of their daily affairs in the city. Paintings of idealized country life remained popular during that period of rapid Westernization, reflecting a nostalgia for Japan's cultural legacy.

Ink and light colors on pale beige-toned silk

67 1/4 x 29 1/8 in. (170.8 x 74cm)

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

2010.41.21

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. 67, illus. 3.

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