A Rishi Stirring Up a Storm
1897
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
1897
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
A man in a red robe stands on a rocky shore, stirring the ocean with a long stick. Waves crash around him, painted in swirling blues and whites. La Farge painted this after traveling to Japan, where he learned about Daoism—a philosophy that sees nature as powerful and alive. The bright blues and loose brushstrokes feel different from his usual work, blending Western depth with Japanese simplicity. If you like this mix of styles, look up *sfumato*—a technique that softens edges, like smoke.
