Artwork
俵屋宗達工房 大原御幸図屏風|Royal Visit to Ōhara, from The Tale of the Heike
俵屋宗達工房 大原御幸図屏風|Royal Visit to Ōhara, from The Tale of the Heike is an ink painting by the Baroque artist Tawaraya Sōtatsu. It dates from 1625 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This pair of six-panel folding screens, created around 1625, depicts a scene from The Tale of the Heike.
About this work
The painting's composition is notable for its use of negative space, with large areas of empty paper creating a sense of depth and atmosphere.
This painting depicts a serene landscape with rolling hills and trees, set against a muted color palette. In the foreground, a group of people are shown, some on horseback, while others are walking or standing. The scene is peaceful, with no signs of conflict or tension.
The painting's composition is notable for its use of negative space, with large areas of empty paper creating a sense of depth and atmosphere. The artist's use of ink and color is subtle, with delicate brushstrokes and soft colors that evoke a sense of calm.
The painting is a beautiful example of Japanese art from the early 17th century. To learn more about the artist's style and technique, look up Tawaraya Sōtatsu.
Overview
This pair of six-panel folding screens, created around 1625, depicts a scene from The Tale of the Heike. Executed in ink and color on paper, the work is attributed to the Rinpa school, led by Tawaraya Sōtatsu.
Subject & Meaning
The screens illustrate the 'Royal Visit to Ōhara', a narrative from the historical epic The Tale of the Heike. The serene landscape and figures on horseback or on foot convey a sense of tranquility, characteristic of the depicted scene.
Technique & Style
The composition is marked by the use of negative space, with large areas of empty paper creating depth. Sōtatsu's style combines bold arrangements with refined decorative elements, and techniques like tarashikomi, where wet paint is layered, achieve subtle visual effects.
History & Provenance
The screens are now part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection. Created in the early 17th century, they exemplify the Rinpa movement's focus on elegance and narrative through visual means.
Artist & collection
Artist
Tawaraya Sōtatsu (俵屋 宗達; c. 1570 – c. 1640) was a Japanese furniture designer and painter of the Rinpa school. Sōtatsu is best known for his decorations of calligraphic works by his partner Hon'ami Kōetsu (1558–1637),…
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