⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ Recommendable for all / Not to miss for enthusiast
Official Site
Site: Yamanashi Prefectural Museum of Art
Until 11th June, 2017
A selection from John Paul II Museum in Poland and some from Musee de la Chartreuse du Douai and the National Gallery in Pargue on baroque. The fact shall be remembered when one refers on the quality of the collection of John Paul II Museum that it was a gift of a private collection made by a chemist and his wife during only decades.
Some attributions seem doubtful: Child from the Medici Family (cat. No. 1) attributed to Tiziano with too whitish skin and poor hands, Portrait of a Philosopher (cat. No. 41) attributed to Ribera with too whitish skin, the way of the Cross (cat. No. 30) attributed to Rubens with distorted faces and poor hands, etc.
Nevertheless, there are remarkable pieces. Portrait of a Woman (cat. No. 5) by Veronese is the second best one I have ever seen among his works. The face is exceptionally fine and the clothes are with elaborated touches, which gives so real texture at some distances.
Adoration of the Magi (cat. NO. 26) by Brueghel the younger is a fine replica of his father's, which makes religious solemnity compatible with secular realism.
The Self-porttait by Velazquez (cat. no. 44) deserves visit, even though some might attribute it to the bottega. It suggest any relationship to etudes for Las Meninas, and glances an insight on the another aspect of the sociable court painter as a rigid investigator.
Two works by Rembrandt are, also even with any suspect of the bottega or follower, fine ones. The early style in cat. No. 17 seems coupled with the dating in 1644 seems somewhat puzzling.
Two world by Murillo seems rather darker as his works but lovely as usual. The pleats of Maria's clothes is sophisticated.
Among minor painters, the Denial of St. Petero by Pensionante del Saraceni is to pay attention : a skilled mixture of soft lighting, relaxed mood, colourful but not too vivid texture.
2017年5月7日日曜日
2017年4月30日日曜日
Saidaiji Temple, Nara, The Treasures of Eison and his school
⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ Excellent and Highly Recommendable
Official Site
Official Site 2
Site: Mitsui Memorial Museum
Until 11th June, 2017
Nice selection of Buddhist sculptures and metal works in Kamakura period, celebrating 1250th anniversary of establishing Saidaiji Temple and focusing Eison (1202-1290) one of reformist monks in Kamakura period.
Two national treasures are magnificent: the Stone Box of Buddha is one of the finest metal work in Kamakura period, with sophisticated dragon, flowers and lions showing the Japanese craftsmanship having catching up with Song of China; and the statute of Eison is semi-idealized embodiment of the dignity and self-discipline of the great religious leader.
The statue of Zenzai Douji (Virtues Boy) is charming with his face in profile, which looks alike ones of Hellenistic or Gandhara sculptures.
Another National Treasure, Twelve Devas could be called an ancestor of Japanese "kawaii characters", which have survived until modern Japanese pop characters, through medieval emaki scrolls, yamatoe flooding scrolls, ukiyoe prints and Tezuka Osamu.
From 6th June on, Lakshmi of Joururiji, one of the loveliest goddess sculpture and one rarely displayed out of the temple, come to the exhibition. Never to miss.
The merit of exhibitions in Mitsui Memorial Museum is the closeness to the work, especially in case of sculptures. Lighting is also excellent. The wooden furniture of the museum is of classic taste, well suited to exhibition of Japanese arts.
For frequent visitors, Museum Passport is recommendable, with unlimited free entry for 2 persons during one year and discounts at the museum shop.
BABEL Collection of Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen
⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎Never to miss for all
Official Site
Official Site 2
Site: Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum
Until 2nd July, 2017
It is second time for the Tower of Babel, the second version to come to Japan. In contrast with 1993 exhibition, this time the Tower of Babel is not a guest principal dancer but main hero of the plot. The prelude was played by Joachim Patinir's landscapes, including Sodom, and the fantastic scenes by Boss, followed by prints by the Followers of Boss and Brugel the elder himself.
The Babel is what could be called a giant miniature, which mandates a monocular to fully enjoy the details never to be rivaled. All the more at this exhibition, where the first row of spectators may not stop in front of the work. The explanatory panels and the enlarged spiral path are so helpful to learn the miracle done by Brugel.
While I prefer the first version in Wien, the second one in Rotterdam is also a real masterpiece, and even this work by itself deserve to come to see.
And 3 more works by Boss also wait you. The Pedlar was apparently once parts of a triptych. According to the catalogue of Prado Exhibition in 2016, it was with the Ships of Fools in Louvre, Allegory of Intemperance in Yale Univ. Art Gallery and Death and the Miser in National Gallery of Art, Washington. The draft lines seen on the work suggest very thin layers of pigments, which reminds me that Boss was contemporary with Leonard and Giorgione, and might have visited Venezia. I never agree with The Japanese catching phrase of this exhibition "the Treasure of Netherland in 16th Century: Surpassing Boss", the delicate brush touch of Boss was succeeded by Brugel indeed.
St. Christpher has regained the vivid coloring after restoration. The scene is enigmatic as always with the rest works of Boss, and he might have suggested pious life is the hardest task for humans full of "peccatum originale".
A small fragment attributed to Boss is no to be neglected. The fine brush work and the details around the mouth and the eye makes me to agree to the attribution. If only the whole work had survived!
While not a few of the ground floor paintings seemed exhibited due to aspect of art history, charming were Christ by Dieric Bouts and the Wife of Potiphar Showing Clothes of Joseph by Lucas van Leyden.
Many prints of Followers of Boss under Cock are falsely inscribed as "Jheronymus Boss Inventor.", which shows why copyright and author's moral right shall be entitled.
Official Site
Official Site 2
Site: Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum
Until 2nd July, 2017
It is second time for the Tower of Babel, the second version to come to Japan. In contrast with 1993 exhibition, this time the Tower of Babel is not a guest principal dancer but main hero of the plot. The prelude was played by Joachim Patinir's landscapes, including Sodom, and the fantastic scenes by Boss, followed by prints by the Followers of Boss and Brugel the elder himself.
The Babel is what could be called a giant miniature, which mandates a monocular to fully enjoy the details never to be rivaled. All the more at this exhibition, where the first row of spectators may not stop in front of the work. The explanatory panels and the enlarged spiral path are so helpful to learn the miracle done by Brugel.
While I prefer the first version in Wien, the second one in Rotterdam is also a real masterpiece, and even this work by itself deserve to come to see.
And 3 more works by Boss also wait you. The Pedlar was apparently once parts of a triptych. According to the catalogue of Prado Exhibition in 2016, it was with the Ships of Fools in Louvre, Allegory of Intemperance in Yale Univ. Art Gallery and Death and the Miser in National Gallery of Art, Washington. The draft lines seen on the work suggest very thin layers of pigments, which reminds me that Boss was contemporary with Leonard and Giorgione, and might have visited Venezia. I never agree with The Japanese catching phrase of this exhibition "the Treasure of Netherland in 16th Century: Surpassing Boss", the delicate brush touch of Boss was succeeded by Brugel indeed.
St. Christpher has regained the vivid coloring after restoration. The scene is enigmatic as always with the rest works of Boss, and he might have suggested pious life is the hardest task for humans full of "peccatum originale".
A small fragment attributed to Boss is no to be neglected. The fine brush work and the details around the mouth and the eye makes me to agree to the attribution. If only the whole work had survived!
While not a few of the ground floor paintings seemed exhibited due to aspect of art history, charming were Christ by Dieric Bouts and the Wife of Potiphar Showing Clothes of Joseph by Lucas van Leyden.
Many prints of Followers of Boss under Cock are falsely inscribed as "Jheronymus Boss Inventor.", which shows why copyright and author's moral right shall be entitled.
2017年4月11日火曜日
Picture Scrolls Enthusiasts - We Love Emaki
⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎Never to miss for all
Official Site
Site: Suntory Museum of Art
Until 14th May, 2017
Site: Suntory Museum of Art
Until 14th May, 2017
It is not only among one of major maki exhibitions, but also is the fist to focus on the patrons and readers of emaki scrolls. So charming selection of rarely seen masterpieces with exciting enlightenment.
Kasuga Gongen Genki-e is vivid and magnificient as usual. This time, it can be enjoyed along with Ishiyamadera Engi Emaki possibly by the same painter!
Genjo Sanzo E from Fujita Art Museum shows what 13th century Japanese imagined as Buddhist painted caves in central Asia and Ruins in Swat Valley. Emaki functioned as modern TV, movie film or manga. So Emaki enthusiasts, including the most noble members of the time, could be compared with contemporary mania, otaku or geeks.
The most beautiful and sublime rice field appears in gold on Kuwanomidera Engi Emaki, which makes pale not few traditional Japanese painters in modern and contemporary times.
While Heiji Monogatari Emaki is absent, major scrolls depicting armored samurai's battles come together: Mouko Shurai Ekotoba, Zen Kunen Kassen Emaki and Go Sannen Kassen Emaki.
Quest for beauty of drawing, especially in feminine hair is a characteristic of Japanese art, and can be remarked in many works exhibited this time.
2017年4月2日日曜日
Old Masters from the State Hermitage Museum
⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎Never to miss for all
Official Site
Site: Mori Arts Center Gallery
Until 18th June, 2017
Good selction from the Hermitage, from the viewpoint of taste of Ekaterina II. Some works has revisited Japan with 25 years' interval.
Portrait of a Young Woman in a Hat with a Feather by Tiziano has a magical gaze, part of the secret of which lies in the finest work in her irises. Tisane succeeded in sophistication compatible with somewhat scandalous theme as usual. His talent can be better understood through comparison of a work of his bottega (workshop).
The bottega work, Venus before the Mirror may be among the finest of his bottega works, but still far below those of his own, from the appearance of the goddess' left hand to the total atmosphere.
St. Cecilia by Carlo Dorci is on the summit of this Exhibition, also among the best paintings on music. A music dedicated to the God could be listen. I wonder why not holding an exhibition focused on Carlo Dorci in Japan.
Andromeda by Francesco Furini shows a contrast of an emotional face with ceramic-like body in nude. Abundant volume of her hair emphasizes her sorrow as well as increasing sensuality. A dramatic but still tranquil baroque nude.
Young Woman with a Veil by Jean-Baptiste Santerre is a mysterious work. Is she a mistress, a priest, a sibylla or a swindler. While the catalogue suggests "superficial attempt to imitate the works of Rembrandt", the rather intellectual atmosphere of this work seems more close to those of La Tour. Rembrandt works are with darker aura of human beings.
Haman Learns His Fate by Rembrandt is remarkable with the unique design in arrangements, with impact of expression of tarban and Red-Orange clothes, suggesting the bloody fate.
The Childhood of the Virgin by Zurbaran could be one of the best of his work in spite of its size, in that it is successful example of his quest for classic holiness merger with Spanish native ethos.
The Virgin and Child beneath an Apple Tree by Cranach the elder waits in The final section. While it is representing a triumph of Christ over the Sin, the look of Mary and Jesus is rather demonish, testing human beings. A rare Mary as a femme fatale.
Official Site
Site: Mori Arts Center Gallery
Until 18th June, 2017
Good selction from the Hermitage, from the viewpoint of taste of Ekaterina II. Some works has revisited Japan with 25 years' interval.
Portrait of a Young Woman in a Hat with a Feather by Tiziano has a magical gaze, part of the secret of which lies in the finest work in her irises. Tisane succeeded in sophistication compatible with somewhat scandalous theme as usual. His talent can be better understood through comparison of a work of his bottega (workshop).
The bottega work, Venus before the Mirror may be among the finest of his bottega works, but still far below those of his own, from the appearance of the goddess' left hand to the total atmosphere.
St. Cecilia by Carlo Dorci is on the summit of this Exhibition, also among the best paintings on music. A music dedicated to the God could be listen. I wonder why not holding an exhibition focused on Carlo Dorci in Japan.
Andromeda by Francesco Furini shows a contrast of an emotional face with ceramic-like body in nude. Abundant volume of her hair emphasizes her sorrow as well as increasing sensuality. A dramatic but still tranquil baroque nude.
Young Woman with a Veil by Jean-Baptiste Santerre is a mysterious work. Is she a mistress, a priest, a sibylla or a swindler. While the catalogue suggests "superficial attempt to imitate the works of Rembrandt", the rather intellectual atmosphere of this work seems more close to those of La Tour. Rembrandt works are with darker aura of human beings.
Haman Learns His Fate by Rembrandt is remarkable with the unique design in arrangements, with impact of expression of tarban and Red-Orange clothes, suggesting the bloody fate.
The Childhood of the Virgin by Zurbaran could be one of the best of his work in spite of its size, in that it is successful example of his quest for classic holiness merger with Spanish native ethos.
The Virgin and Child beneath an Apple Tree by Cranach the elder waits in The final section. While it is representing a triumph of Christ over the Sin, the look of Mary and Jesus is rather demonish, testing human beings. A rare Mary as a femme fatale.
2017年3月26日日曜日
Alfonse Mucha
⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎Legendary
Official Site
Taking photograph is allowed on specified works.
Site: The National Art Center, Tokyo
Until 5th June, 2017
It is not an event but a legend-to-be. The complete squad of "The Slav Epic" has come!
They are not only national treasures of Czechia, but also common legacy of human beings: beauty and idea, skill and passion, hope and introspect...
Visitor will be overwhelmed at the first room by the charisma and perfection of Slavs in Their Original Homeland, The Celebration of Svantovit and The Introduction of the Slavonic Liturgy, as if they were at Cappella Sistina.
Slavs in Their Original Homeland shows eternal tranquility in heaven in starlight in conjunction with galloping menace on earth. The shade and color is the final reaching point of quest for light through touches by Impressionist and Neo-impressionist, preoccupying the goal of postwar Japanese nihonga painters.
The mysterious shade seems largely to come from use of tempera.
The posture and looks on face of figures in front scene is derived from study of Michelangelo, embodying unyielding soul of the nation even under fear.
The Celebration of Svantovit is a monument of Peace and War. The atmosphere and light, aura around gods, the dance of female priest, smoke and torches...all difficult to narrate.
This work is on the summit of "Historical Painting".
Again, study and absorption of precedent works is integrated with his own genius. Composition as a whole and natural staying of figures in the air is too superb.
The Introduction of the Slavonic Liturgy is a magic to combine a realistic youth with iconic Slav monarchs in Byzantine style by the unique light and atmosphere. A study of Beato Angelico might have made any hint.
The works on Hussiten are dedicated to the dignity of soul. One can find elements from Baroque, Japonism (in composition), and romanticism. A message to oppose to hates is grave in current situation.
The section of works on modern events is featured on reliance to enlightenment, progress and pan-nationalism, which, in real history, were betrayed through twice of World Wars. Nevertheless, the ideal that nationalism, pan-nationalism or patriotism could be peaceful, as embodied in the floods of light full of hope, is not to be abandoned.
This exhibition is really superb, but, from point of view of conservation, this loan to Japan and further to China over 2 years (then possibly to South Korea and U.S.) risks severe damage to the masterpiece.
Official Site
Taking photograph is allowed on specified works.
Site: The National Art Center, Tokyo
Until 5th June, 2017
It is not an event but a legend-to-be. The complete squad of "The Slav Epic" has come!
They are not only national treasures of Czechia, but also common legacy of human beings: beauty and idea, skill and passion, hope and introspect...
Visitor will be overwhelmed at the first room by the charisma and perfection of Slavs in Their Original Homeland, The Celebration of Svantovit and The Introduction of the Slavonic Liturgy, as if they were at Cappella Sistina.
Slavs in Their Original Homeland shows eternal tranquility in heaven in starlight in conjunction with galloping menace on earth. The shade and color is the final reaching point of quest for light through touches by Impressionist and Neo-impressionist, preoccupying the goal of postwar Japanese nihonga painters.
The mysterious shade seems largely to come from use of tempera.
The posture and looks on face of figures in front scene is derived from study of Michelangelo, embodying unyielding soul of the nation even under fear.
The Celebration of Svantovit is a monument of Peace and War. The atmosphere and light, aura around gods, the dance of female priest, smoke and torches...all difficult to narrate.
This work is on the summit of "Historical Painting".
Again, study and absorption of precedent works is integrated with his own genius. Composition as a whole and natural staying of figures in the air is too superb.
The Introduction of the Slavonic Liturgy is a magic to combine a realistic youth with iconic Slav monarchs in Byzantine style by the unique light and atmosphere. A study of Beato Angelico might have made any hint.
The works on Hussiten are dedicated to the dignity of soul. One can find elements from Baroque, Japonism (in composition), and romanticism. A message to oppose to hates is grave in current situation.
The section of works on modern events is featured on reliance to enlightenment, progress and pan-nationalism, which, in real history, were betrayed through twice of World Wars. Nevertheless, the ideal that nationalism, pan-nationalism or patriotism could be peaceful, as embodied in the floods of light full of hope, is not to be abandoned.
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| Holy Mount Athos |
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| from The Last days of Jan Amos Komenský in Naarden |
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| Apotheosis of the Slavs |
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| from The Abolition of Serfdom in Russia |
Other sections is largely from Alfonse Mucha Musem, Sakai, ex Doi collection. Thanks to the good-taste, foresight and passion of Mr. Doi Kimio!
While I doubted how such large works has been shipped to Japan, each time of transportation to and display on different cities, the canvases are scrolled and spread again!
According to an article, all former loan abroad required restoration after the works returned home. I wonder why alternative transportation could not be adopted. And long-time loan to China will be with risk of damage through air severe pollution.
2017年3月25日土曜日
This is Kyōsai! The Israel Goldman Collection Celebrated Japanese artist
⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎Never to miss for all
Official site
(Photographs herein are taken under special permission by the organizers)
Site: the Bunkamura Museum of Art
Until 16th April, 2017
Kawanabe Kyosai is a polygon artist who left abundant and varied works, and the curators could arrange an exhibition of his works from various angles. This one focus on subjects as well as styles applied according thereto, giving you a new insight on his art, life and time.
The first section is "animals", especially ravens, the most popular subject among his works. His animals are with expressive looks and yet based on precise watching. Ravens appear to be a mirror to human being.
Kiosk's sense of humor is on the summit of Japanese modern painters. But he is not a isolated peak from historical viewpoint but is a successor to Kuniyoshi and painters in Kyoto, further to medieval maki scrolls.
The mainstream of "modern" Japanese "traditional" paintings did deviate from such humor and intellect, and, at the same time, lost the skill to draw dynamic (sometimes mob) scenes.
Sukeroku v.s. Colossus Buddha is in unique composition and with humorous but philosophic theme, showing his ever-novel genius which impressed contemporary Europeans.
Party of Five Holy Men might be regarded impious by fundamentalists, but presents the Japanese spirt of universal value: Concordia 和, which was brewed in Pax Tokugawa and made more open-minded through Meiji westernization. If Kyosai had travelled in Middle East or India, he would have added Muhammed. The cheer atmosphere of this work is of invaluable meaning in current intolerant crush of isms.
The most dynamic expression comes in this section. The too famous Goshawk Chasing Wind God from ex Conder collection and Shouki Kicking Evil Spirit are marvelous.
For beauties, he made the ideal face of the era. It might be interesting to compare his works with photographs of geishas in that time. These works is in a combined style of Kanou school, the academic one, and Utagawa school, then pop-art. Historically, Kanou school itself emerged as an integration of Chinese style and then-traditional Japanese one, and he is the true successor to Kanou school also in that sense.
There also exhibited are shooing. Kyosai left various footprints in this field, too. The interfering cat on the left scroll is too funny.
The delicate fine touch in Kanou style remind you that Kyosai was appointed by the last of one Kanou lineage as the heir to the art.
Many works formerly in ex Fukutomi Tarou collection had left for Mr. Goldman. He seems to have been destined to collect Kyosai's works and realized his own fate through the first step: bidding for a portrait of Darma at a small auction in London. He is a true connoisseur.
Official site
(Photographs herein are taken under special permission by the organizers)
Site: the Bunkamura Museum of Art
Until 16th April, 2017
Kawanabe Kyosai is a polygon artist who left abundant and varied works, and the curators could arrange an exhibition of his works from various angles. This one focus on subjects as well as styles applied according thereto, giving you a new insight on his art, life and time.
 |
| Raven Scrolls |
 |
| Animals |
The mainstream of "modern" Japanese "traditional" paintings did deviate from such humor and intellect, and, at the same time, lost the skill to draw dynamic (sometimes mob) scenes.
 |
| Religious Figures |
Party of Five Holy Men might be regarded impious by fundamentalists, but presents the Japanese spirt of universal value: Concordia 和, which was brewed in Pax Tokugawa and made more open-minded through Meiji westernization. If Kyosai had travelled in Middle East or India, he would have added Muhammed. The cheer atmosphere of this work is of invaluable meaning in current intolerant crush of isms.
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| Shouki (Zhong Kui) and evil spirits |
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| Courtisan Jigoku-Dayuu and Monk Ikkyuu |
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| Shunga (Funny Erotic Pictures) |
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| Kanou-school style scrolls |
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| Ghost scroll and its design from ex Fukutomi Tarou Collection |
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