Waterfall
Komai Genki
Description
Japan, 1747–1797
Waterfall
Edo period (1615–1868)
2 nd half of 18 th century
Hanging scroll, ink and color on silk
Museum purchase made possible by the Margaret Watson Parker Art Collection
Fund, 1968/2.21
Komai Genki was one of the most prominent disciples of the leading Kyoto
painter Maruyama Ōkyo (1733–1795). At the time, Ōkyo was unusual among
painters for emphasizing the direct observation of nature and drawing from life;
most artists emulated the style of previous masters. Ōkyo’s fresh, naturalistic
approach proved to be extremely popular, and to meet the great demand for his
paintings he ran a large studio with many assistants. Genki often worked with his
teacher on large commissions, such as the interiors of Buddhist temple
compounds.
This painting by Genki is dominated by a waterfall, a subject associated with
Ōkyo’s studio. While the depiction of the falls—an almost blank, white space—is
rather abstract, the dynamic representation of the water current below is more
naturalistic and conveys a sense of immediacy.
Subject Matter:
This painting shows a lot of different textures which range from the smooth waterfall to the rough waters below. The black pine tree to the left is a symbol of longevity and good fortune. This very natural scene incorporates the fluid force of water, the stable and solid stone, and the life of the black pine.
Physical Description:
This hanging scroll depicts what appears to be a large waterfall hidden by rock outcroppings. Towards the bottom left are pine trees growing on a rock. The water that the waterfall enters is rough and painted with a lot of movement. Just opposite of the pine tree is what appears to be the artist's signature written in black, quickly followed by an inscription in red. The scroll is framed by a blue and gold silk cloth with a floral inscription. There is a short stripe of a lighter blue-colored cloth with a different floral pattern on the top. The painting has splashes of color in the water, making it blue, and in the trees, making them green.
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