Gentleman Amusing Himself

ca. 1923

Japanese, 1891 - 1975

Domoto 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.

Ink and light colors on paper

80 3/8 x 17 3/8 in. (204.2 x 44.1cm)

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

2010.41.44

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 ReferencesMorioka, Michiyo; Berry, Paul. "Modern Masters of Kyoto: The Transformation of Japanese Painting Traditions," Seattle, WA: Seattle Art Museum, 1999, p. 285, illus. 80.

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