Lot Essay
Maeda Seison was one of the leading Japanese-style painters of the modern movement. Born in Gifu Prefecture he studied with Kajita Hanko (1870-1917) in Tokyo beginning in 1901 and he was associated with Yasuda Yukihiko (1884-1978) and Kobayashi Kokei (1883-1957) [see lot 1] in the artists' society Kojikai. Together these painters created a new style of Japanese painting, influenced by their great teacher at the Tokyo School of Fine Arts, Okakura Tenshin (1862-1913).
Beginning in 1906 Maeda showed in exhibitions organized by several artists' cultural groups, including the Bunten and the Nihon Bijutsuin. Upon the death of Okakura in 1913, he assisted in the restructuring of the Nihon Bijutsuin and became a member of this organization. From 1922-23 Maeda traveled in Europe and in 1929 he received the Asahi Culture Prize. He became a member of the Imperial Art Academy in 1937, and in 1955 he was honored with the Order of Cultural Merit.
Maeda was an avid spokesman for Japanese-style painting. His early works were historical scenes and figures from Japanese legend. In the years after 1945, when he taught at the Tokyo School of Fine Arts, he became known for his genre scenes, portraits, and paintings of Japanese festivals. His works, such as Flowering iris, lot 688, sold in these rooms in sale #6848 on April 21, 1989, are colorful and bold, combining elements of western and traditional Japanese painting.
Beginning in 1906 Maeda showed in exhibitions organized by several artists' cultural groups, including the Bunten and the Nihon Bijutsuin. Upon the death of Okakura in 1913, he assisted in the restructuring of the Nihon Bijutsuin and became a member of this organization. From 1922-23 Maeda traveled in Europe and in 1929 he received the Asahi Culture Prize. He became a member of the Imperial Art Academy in 1937, and in 1955 he was honored with the Order of Cultural Merit.
Maeda was an avid spokesman for Japanese-style painting. His early works were historical scenes and figures from Japanese legend. In the years after 1945, when he taught at the Tokyo School of Fine Arts, he became known for his genre scenes, portraits, and paintings of Japanese festivals. His works, such as Flowering iris, lot 688, sold in these rooms in sale #6848 on April 21, 1989, are colorful and bold, combining elements of western and traditional Japanese painting.