The works of Maruyama Okyo realistically capture the nature of human existence and the wonders of the natural world. On display are his breakthrough work “Seven Misfortunes and Seven Fortunes,” which vividly contrasts human suffering with happiness; “Peonies and Peacock,” featuring intricate coloring on plumage meticulously sketched from life; and “Great Waterfall,” a painting over 3.6 meters tall that seems to roar with the sound of crashing water.
Meanwhile, Ito Jakuchu is represented by his “Screen Paintings for the Daishoin,” a set of 50 panels that once adorned the Daishoin of Rokuon-ji Temple. In contrast with his works of vivid color, these paintings fully demonstrate his genius as an ink wash painter. Employing extraordinary techniques such as sujime-gaki, which utilizes ink bleeding to create a three-dimensional effect, he brings to life a monochrome world of small birds gathering around grapes, chickens brimming with vitality, and solitary pine trees with cranes.
This exhibition offers a chance to experience the pinnacle of stillness and motion, realism and decorative art, as embodied by these two giants who led the Kyoto art scene in the 18th century.