GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Sakai Hoitsu was a Buddhist monk from a distinguished family who painted numerous works in an eclectic style. One of his most important themes was a series of seasonal painting, of which the Museum's scroll is an example. Two mandarin ducks, symbols of married fidelity, sit on a stone beneath a clump of swamp iris. The painting has the same asymmetric design as Rosetsu's tiger, in which an empty left side of the picture is balanced by a filled right side [1972.13]. There is no illusion of depth.
The background is neutral, suggesting the universal background of nature, which underlies all life. A few spots of brilliant color, such as the dark purple iris flowers, add intensity to the muted painting. The brushwork is very soft, dissolving into the silk in broad washes, yet is completely controlled. It is a gentle and peaceful picture of harmonious nature, made vital by the pure lines and by the springing swords of the iris leaves.
Excerpt from
- Anne R. Bromberg, Dallas Museum of Art: Selected Works (Dallas, TX: Dallas Museum of Art, 1983), 91.
NOTES
Catalogue essays
Artist/designers
Sakai Hōitsu: ULAN: 500121066
Cultures
Geography
Japan (nation): TGN: 1000120
Kyoto: TGN: 7004603
Process/materials
painting (visual works): AAT: 300033618
silk (textile): AAT: 300243428
ink: AAT: 300015012
Historical periods
Late Edo: AAT: 300106658
Individuals
Subject terms
Buddhism : AAT: 300073738
seasons: AAT: 300133091
scroll paintings: AAT: 300033666
ducks (birds/animals): AAT: 300250047
iris (genus/plants): AAT: 300343602
asymmetry (composition concept): AAT: 300056248
nature: AAT: 300179372
Sōtatsu-Korin School (Japanese painting styles): AAT: 300106734
RELATED OBJECTS
PROVENANCE
Before 1972: S. Yabumoto Co., Ltd., Tokyo.
1972: Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, gift of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen S. Kahn, Foundation for the Arts purchase from above. [1] [2]
The main source for this provenance is the Dallas Art Association Acquisition Record, dated March 8, 1972, copy in Dallas Museum of Art Collections Records Object File. Exceptions and supporting documents are noted.
[1] The name of the Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, founded in 1933, was changed to the Dallas Museum of Art in 1983.
[2] The Foundation for the Arts is a non-profit corporation created as a title-holding entity to serve the people of Dallas but to operate independently of the City. The Dallas Museum of Art (at its own cost) is responsible for the care, storage, insurance, conservation and maintenance of the collection, and agrees to maintain the highest museum standards in the management and handling of the Foundation’s collection. The title to all works of art purchased or otherwise acquired by the Foundation for the Arts is retained by the Foundation.
AUDIO ASSETS
VIDEO ASSETS
IMAGE ASSETS
WEB RESOURCES
- Kyoto National Museum~Read further about the style of Sakai Hoitsu and the artistic lineage his paintings reflect.
ARCHIVAL RESOURCES
FUN FACTS
TEACHING IDEAS
RULES
Apply to objects where number equals 1972.7.FA
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General Description
Sakai Hoitsu was a Buddhist monk from a distinguished family who painted numerous works in an eclectic style. One of his most important themes was a series of seasonal painting, of which the Museum's scroll is an example. Two mandarin ducks, symbols of married fidelity, sit on a stone beneath a clump of swamp iris. The painting has the same asymmetric design as Rosetsu's tiger, in which an empty left side of the picture is balanced by a filled right side [1972.13]. There is no illusion of depth.
The background is neutral, suggesting the universal background of nature, which underlies all life. A few spots of brilliant color, such as the dark purple iris flowers, add intensity to the muted painting. The brushwork is very soft, dissolving into the silk in broad washes, yet is completely controlled. It is a gentle and peaceful picture of harmonious nature, made vital by the pure lines and by the springing swords of the iris leaves.
Excerpt from
- Anne R. Bromberg, Dallas Museum of Art: Selected Works (Dallas, TX: Dallas Museum of Art, 1983), 91.
Fun Facts
Archival Resources
Web Resources
- Kyoto National Museum~Read further about the style of Sakai Hoitsu and the artistic lineage his paintings reflect.
Notes
Catalogue essays
Artist/designers
Sakai Hōitsu: ULAN: 500121066
Cultures
Geography
Japan (nation): TGN: 1000120
Kyoto: TGN: 7004603
Process/materials
painting (visual works): AAT: 300033618
silk (textile): AAT: 300243428
ink: AAT: 300015012
Historical periods
Late Edo: AAT: 300106658
Individuals
Subject terms
Buddhism : AAT: 300073738
seasons: AAT: 300133091
scroll paintings: AAT: 300033666
ducks (birds/animals): AAT: 300250047
iris (genus/plants): AAT: 300343602
asymmetry (composition concept): AAT: 300056248
nature: AAT: 300179372
Sōtatsu-Korin School (Japanese painting styles): AAT: 300106734
RELATED OBJECTS
PROVENANCE
Before 1972: S. Yabumoto Co., Ltd., Tokyo.
1972: Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, gift of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen S. Kahn, Foundation for the Arts purchase from above. [1] [2]
The main source for this provenance is the Dallas Art Association Acquisition Record, dated March 8, 1972, copy in Dallas Museum of Art Collections Records Object File. Exceptions and supporting documents are noted.
[1] The name of the Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, founded in 1933, was changed to the Dallas Museum of Art in 1983.
[2] The Foundation for the Arts is a non-profit corporation created as a title-holding entity to serve the people of Dallas but to operate independently of the City. The Dallas Museum of Art (at its own cost) is responsible for the care, storage, insurance, conservation and maintenance of the collection, and agrees to maintain the highest museum standards in the management and handling of the Foundation’s collection. The title to all works of art purchased or otherwise acquired by the Foundation for the Arts is retained by the Foundation.
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