About "Mt. Penglai and cranes"
Triptych, color on silk, with a box signed and sealed by the artist with the artist's seal (108×35cm / 176×48cm)
As the sun rises above Mt. Penglai, a flock of cranes, traditional symbols of longevity, fly by. This auspicious painting depicts the ancient Chinese legendary sacred mountain, Mt. Penglai. It was said to be located in the East Sea of the Shangdong province, where hermits would live and make immortality potions. Subtle but beautiful, the details of the mount that backs the main image contains intricately woven traces of the artist's seals. This piece dates to around 1910’s when Seitei was in his late 50s and in his mature period of painting. Radiating fortune and luck, the auspicious qualities of the painting makes it best suited for display when celebrating the New Year.
About "Watanabe Seitei"
Watanabe Seitei was a Japanese painter who was born in the Edo period (1603–1868) and was active during the Meiji (1868–1912) and the Taisho era (1912–1926). He studied painting under Kikuchi Yosai, who was renowned for his historical paintings and he was one of the first Japanese painters to visit Europe. Attending the Paris World Exposition, he familiarized himself with Western painting. In turn, Seitei’s works influenced the art of Degas and Manet. His flower and bird paintings are highly acclaimed for its incorporation of the Realism of Western painting and the use of traditional Japanese brushwork techniques.
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Kashima Arts Co., Ltd.
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