Gentleman Amusing Himself

Dateca. 1923

Maker Domoto Insho Japanese, 1891 - 1975

Label TextDomoto Insho departed from tradition and adapted Western and abstract styles to Japanese modern painting with creative versatility. Having visited China early in the 1920s, Chinese themes are significant in his paintings, including this work. Although the gentleman in the painting looks like a historical figure, it probably represents Insh? himself, who had developed a firsthand appreciation and lasting impression of the real scale of a Chinese garden and conveys it effectively by using the narrow format of a hangingscroll.

Object number2010.41.44

Photo CreditPhoto: Eduardo Calderon

Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Asian Art Museum "Journeys in Landscape: Modern Art in Japan", November 26, 2004 - January 30, 2006Published ReferencesMorioka, Michiyo; Berry, Paul. "Modern Masters of Kyoto: The Transformation of Japanese Painting Traditions," Seattle, WA: Seattle Art Museum, 1999, p. 285, illus. 80.

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

Dimensions80 3/8 x 17 3/8 in. (204.2 x 44.1 cm)

MediumInk and light colors on paper