Non-Western Art
Kanō School
Non-western art is creative work that isn't originally from European or North American artists or culture. Pieces like Leonardo Da Vinci's Mona Lisa, 1797, would not be classified as non-western art while pieces like Katsushika Hokusai's The Great Wave off Kanagawa, 1831, would be classified as non-western art.
One of my favorite periods in non-Western art history would have to be the Japanese Kanō School of Art. The Kanō School is considered one of the most well-renowned disciplines of painting in Japanese art history and lasted for over 300 years. The style is scenic and bright, with roots in influential Guó Huà, or traditional Chinese painting. Kanō school had a strong focus on capturing picturesque and often contrasting and colorful landscapes, prominent figures, and balanced scenes of flora and fauna representative of the natural seasons. Many of these pieces were painted/displayed on Byōbu, or paneled folding screens. Inks, paints, and gold leaf were commonly used in these works.
I selected these pieces because they fit within my art movement and non-western region of choice.
Cypress Trees (16th-17th century - 1590's roughly), Japan
Ink and paint on paper, with gold leaf, on eight-panel folding screen
Kanō Eitoku (1543-1590)
This is a beautiful panel of artwork that depicts Cypress trees on a hill overlooking a deep blue pond or lake and a horizon of mountain peaks and puffy clouds. Minus the mountains, this painting reminds me of driving through the hills of Northern California and through Cypress and Redwood trees as I made my way toward the coast. It inspires memories of fresh misty air and the smell of conifer needles. It is easy to appreciate the form of this painting; there is a depth to the painting style that emphasizes the illusion of distance. It's as though one could walk straight into the scene and stand near the trees, overlooking the water. there is a theory this painting was actually created by Kanō Sōshū, the younger brother of Kanō Eitoku.
Jinshan Island and West Lake (1630), Japan
Ink and color on paper, with gold leaf, on six-panel folding screen
Kanō Sanraku (1559-1635)
This piece reminds me of being in my childhood home. I remember copies of paintings like this in my stepfather's art study. It also reminds me of a wooden sculpture I once saw, made of small bits of cut wood barely thicker than pencil shavings. It was an intricate and gorgeous city with rooftops like those seen in this painting. I particularly like how it almost looks like a map of an ancient city or landmass. The unmarked portions of the painting, which I believe are representative of deep valleys or rural/infrequently trekked regions, could be far and wide in expanse or as small as a mile between mountain peaks. The linework really defines the focus on building and geographic structures and proximity. In truth, the painting depicts two different scenes that are 150 miles apart, and they are both in China.
Birds and Flowers of Spring and Summer (latter half of 17th century), Japan
Ink and paint on paper, with gold leaf, on six-panel folding screen
Kanō Einō (1631-1697)
This painting depicts the flora and winged fauna of the Spring and Summer seasons in Japan. There is an ethereal essence to the painting. It looks, to me, like a representation of Eden, though that could be because the piece looks like a depiction of paradise right out of some fantasy novel. The tree in the middle could be the tree of life, and the birds and flowers could symbolize purity, grace, and peace. The gold leaf on the panel adds a rich and, well, heavenly appeal to the piece. More so than a Christian feel, however, is the distinct quintessence of a Zen state of consciousness, perhaps in relation to Buddhist value judgments, this painting gives off.
“File:Kano Eino - Birds and Flowers of Spring and Summer - Google Art Project.jpg - Wikipedia.” Commons.wikimedia.org, en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Kano_Eino_-_Birds_and_Flowers_of_Spring_and_Summer_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg.
“Kano Sanraku | Jinshan Island and West Lake | Japan | Edo Period (1615–1868).” The Metropolitan Museum of Art, www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/671028.
Wikipedia Contributors. “Cypress Trees.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 1 July 2021, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cypress_Trees.
---. “Kanō School.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 11 May 2021, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kan%C5%8D_school.
Hello Tory,
ReplyDeleteI like your pieces of art from Japan and China and agree with your explanation of all the elements of the art. I was impressed with Birds and Flowers of Spring and Summer (latter half of the 17th century), It is a cool one and reminds us of the beautiful summer we have in Fairbanks this one is worth keeping. The flowers and green vegetation give us some sense of peace and refreshment especially when taking a nature walk.
I found the works of art you chose to be very beautiful. I like the country that you chose. However, your formatting with your blog's layout is personally challenging to read, and the art is minimal. I appreciated you sighting your sources; however, there are no links, making it harder to find the sight you shared. What made you choose this country? Is there something that personally speaks to you?
ReplyDeleteVery well put together. I instantly recognized the kano school style, but I never really had the right terminology to describe it. My favorite of this selection is ‘Birds and Flowers of Spring and Summer’. The colors are so pigmented and vibrant. The composition is also just very pleasing with the twisting tree being the main focus of the piece. One thing that stands out to me about the Kano school style is the blank background. It’s really fascinating how all of the details are really fleshed out except for the sky and occasionally hills and ground.
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