Artist: Takahashi Hiroaki (Shotei) 高橋松亭 弘明(1871-1945)
Title: Revolving Lantern and Bellflower Bouquet 廻り燈籠と桔梗
Date: ca. 1924-1935
A lovely bouquet that includes bellflowers (kikyô), pinks (nadeshiko), and fujibakama (Eupatorium), three of the traditional Seven Flowers of Autumn, which have inspired poetry for centuries. The bouquet is posed next to a revolving lantern that shows a farmer, a man holding a straw mat over his head, and a dog--all running towards the left against driving rain that falls towards the right. The figures on the lantern give the work a kinetic energy, which contrasts with the calm repose of the freshly picked flowers. The skillfully applied bokashi (shading) on the bellflowers gives them a terrific dimensionality.
Literature: Hisao Shimizu, Syotei (Hiroaki) Takahashi: His Life and Work, Folk Museum of Ota City, 2005, Hisao Shimizu, The Collected Printed Works of Shotei Takahashi, A Modern Ukiyo-e Painter, 2006, number 69, page 75. See LACMA (where they note that it was published before 1936)
Condition: Excellent impression, color and condition.
Dimensions: 25.8 x 18.4 cm Sealed: Shôtei
