Red Lotus and White Goose
early 1920's
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 65.7 cm)
Gift of Griffith and Patricia Way, in honor of the 75th Anniversary of the Seattle Art Museum
2010.41.74
Photo: Eduardo Calderon