Rain Clearing
early 1930's
This 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.
Ink and light colors on silk
51 1/8 x 27 3/4 in. (129.9 x 70.5 cm)
Gift of Griffith and Patricia Way, in honor of the 75th Anniversary of the Seattle Art Museum
2010.41.60
Photo: Eduardo Calderon