Red Lotus and White Goose

early 1920's

Japanese, 1877-1938

A shallow, wide basin in the Fushimi district of Kyoto, Ogura Pond was famous among tourists and artists alike for its magnificent lotus plants. Goun was one of a number of nihonga painters who depicted the pond, relying on personal observation from a boat afloat on the water. Although this work builds on a common lineage of Chinese lotus and bird paintings, Goun's portrayal owes far more to Rinpa master Sotatsu than to any Chinese model. He borrows Sotatsu's famed tarashikomi technique-wet color applied over paint that is not yet dry-for a moist, softly textured form. Sotatsu himself painted this subject in a work that is now designated a National Treasure.

Ink and colors on silk

82 3/4 x 25 7/8 in (210.2 x 65.7cm)

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

2010.41.74

Photo: Eduardo Calderon

Not currently on view

Resources

Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Asian Art Museum, "Transforming Traditions: Japanese and Korean Art since 1800", May 23, 2009 - February 21, 2010

Published ReferencesMorioka, Michiyo; Berry, Paul. "Modern Masters of Kyoto: The Transformation of Japanese Painting Traditions," Seattle, WA: Seattle Art Museum, 1999, p. 200, illus. 55.

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