Rain Clearing

Dateearly 1930's

Maker Konoshima Okoku Japanese, 1877 - 1938

Label TextThis scene of egrets amongst willows recalls a well-known painting by Matsumura Goshun (1752-1783), the founder of the Shijô school. Ôkoku achieved great decorative impact through his choice of color, the graceful white curves of the birds preening their feathers and arcing in flight through the sultry green grove of willows refreshed by an afternoon shower. Even based on Ôkoku's extensive drawings from life, the compositional polish of his finished works did not take away from the lifelike aspect of the animals he was popular for painting.

Object number2010.41.60

Photo CreditPhoto: Eduardo Calderon

Published ReferencesMorioka, Michiyo; Berry, Paul. "Modern Masters of Kyoto: The Transformation of Japanese Painting Traditions," Seattle, WA: Seattle Art Museum, 1999, p. 210, illus. 59.

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

Dimensions51 1/8 x 27 3/4 in. (129.9 x 70.5 cm)

MediumInk and light colors on silk