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Bamboo

Nakabayashi Chikutō

Artwork Details

Bamboo
1st half of the 19th century
Nakabayashi Chikutō
hanging scroll, ink on paper
37 1/2 in x 11 7/8 in (95.2 cm x 30.2 cm)
Gift of the Calvin French Collection
1987/1.152.2

Description

Chikuto was the son of a doctor from Nagoya. Under the tutelage of a wealthy Chinese painting collector, Chikuto was able to establish his own painting studio at the age of twenty. He was able to organize and publish old Chinese treatises on painting and establish them as theories of the Nanga school. The orderly arrangement and even brushwork of the orchids and bamboo on this pair of scrolls are quiet and tranquil. As a rule, his execution is inclined to be disciplined and conservative.

Subject Matter:

The orderly arrangement and even brushwork of the orchids and bamboo on this pair of scrolls are quiet and tranquil. As a rule, his execution is inclined to be disciplined and conservative.

"The "four gentlemen" subjects of bamboo, orchid, plum, and chrysanthemum, subjects favoured by Chinese literati as a fitting exercise in ink-play that was very close to calligraphy. "

Addiss, Stephen. Nanga Paintings. London: R. G. Sawers, 1975.

Physical Description:

There is a small clump of bamboo rising toward the top of the hanging scroll. There are three stems and a small clump of leaves. In the bottom left corner of the hanging scroll are two seals by the artist.

Usage Rights:

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