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Orchids and Chrysanthemums

Ikeno Taiga

Artwork Details

Orchids and Chrysanthemums
18th century
Ikeno Taiga
2-fold screen, ink and light color on paper sprinkled with gold
68 in. x 109 in. ( 172.72 cm x 276.86 cm )
Given in memory of Calvin L. French by Fina and John E. Bardach
1986/2.10

Description

Subject Matter:

Ikeno Taiga is part of the Nanga school using a purposefully unrefined painting style. Chrysanthemums are typically associated with royalty and mourning. Orchids are a sign of respect and admiration. This screen was probably installed in a home or maybe a temple of some sort. 

Physical Description:

This is a painting of chrysanthemums on a two-fold screen. The paper is sprinkled with gold and the flowers are painted in ink and light color. The flowers come out of the corners and edges of the screen and spread into the center of the screen. There is a lot of negative space filled in by the gold in the background. A signature is in the middle followed by two seals. There is a third seal in the center of the other screen. 

Usage Rights:

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