Volcanic Landscape [right of a pair], 1916
Irie Shikaiexpand_more
Ink, color, gold, and gofun on silkexpand_more
The Mary Griggs Burke Endowment Fund established by the Mary Livingston Griggs and Mary Griggs Burke Foundationexpand_more 2016.88.2
Not on Viewexpand_more
Across the twelve panels of this pair of folding screens, a wide channel cuts through wavelike, emerald-green mountains brought to life through an abundance of expensive mineral and metallic pigments—malachite, azurite, gold. In the lengthy inscription—written in Chinese and brushed in distinctive ancient script—Irie Shikai cites the enigmatic opening lines of Chapter 28 (“Returning to Simplicity”) of the Dao De Jing, the ancient Chinese text, as the inspiration for this magical composition: "Who knows how white attracts, Yet always keeps himself within black's shade."
Irie Shikai first studied painting with well-known local artists in his native Fukuoka before becoming involved briefly with an ultra-right-wing nationalist movement in midlife. During this time, he became familiar with that movement’s influential leader, Tōyama Mitsuru, and the likeminded coal barons from Fukuoka who supported Tōyama financially (the kind of wealthy patrons who might have commissioned a deluxe painting like this pair of screens). Shikai eventually drifted away from right-wing politics and devoted himself again to painting, finding inspiration particularly in the works of the earlier Japanese literati painter Tanomura Chikuden (1777–1835).
Details
- Title
- Volcanic Landscape [right of a pair]
- Artist Life
- 1862 - after 1938
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- 2016.88.2
- Curator Approved
This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
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