Pine Trees by Tohaku Hasegawa
It's really cool folding screen, isn't it!?
I would never forget the moment when I first saw this great masterpiece of Tohaku Hasegawa , Shorin-zu byoubu, or Pine Tree, drawn in late 16th or early 17th century. That was the time of my Japanese art history class.
Look this daring needle leaves of pine tree and boldness of the composition! There would be no one who could draw the object like this at that era. Some would say, "This is because vanishing point had not established yet."That can be one answer. But I believe that this shows the excellence of Japanese aesthetics, especially in term of creating empty space.
This kind of emptiness had not been in many case of western painting until 20th century. Some artists who was influenced by Zen Buddhism idea came to create empty space in their painting.If seeing about this point, what a modern man Tohaku was!!
Oh, plz don't misunderstand that I look down on western painting. Just I'm so fan of this painting.
Actually, I got a chance to face this great masterpiece this summer. Once I stood in front of this painting, the air surrounding me was suddenly change. I felt as if humid air was coming from this painting and I was standing in the pine forests in the morning mist.
If you visit Japan, I recommend you to see this painiting. But I don't know when this painting will be exhibited next time. We need to wait a little bit...
What's your favorite painting in your own countries?
■byoubu...a folding screen consisting of multiple, joined panels. (English)
■Tohaku Hasegawa 長谷川等伯 (English) (French) (Spanish)
