
Koen Niwayama
Plant
Sumi Ink and Color on Paper
133 x 52-1/2 cm / 30-1/2” x 52-1/2” ; scroll,
Koen Niwayama, Plant
$ 800.00
Born in 1869, Niwayama Koen (also called Keizo) studied under two prominent artists, Ueda Kochu and Suzuki Shonen. Schooled in Shijo-school traditions, the delicacy of his works found an increasingly...
Born in 1869, Niwayama Koen (also called Keizo) studied under two prominent artists, Ueda Kochu and Suzuki Shonen. Schooled in Shijo-school traditions, the delicacy of his works found an increasingly less receptive audience during the beginnings of the Meiji era, when the art world was busy mimicking western style aesthetics. The eventual return to Japanese traditional aesthetic values was too late to sustain his career and Koen’s subsequent history, such as his date of death, are unknown. His talent was only discovered later years.
The Shijo School of painting is known for its deft use of allusion. In distilling the essential qualities of natural elements, this style stimulates the imagination and suggests more than what is depicted. This excellent work by Koen is a case in point.
The painting captures the plant’s serene spirit. The work is quiet, organic, and straightforward. His mastery over sumi ink is discernible.
The Shijo School of painting is known for its deft use of allusion. In distilling the essential qualities of natural elements, this style stimulates the imagination and suggests more than what is depicted. This excellent work by Koen is a case in point.
The painting captures the plant’s serene spirit. The work is quiet, organic, and straightforward. His mastery over sumi ink is discernible.