Born in Yamaguchi City, Nishimura Ryusuke studied tradtional Japanese painting under Kawasaki Shoko (b. 1886) at the Tokyo School of Fine Arts. In 1950 he cntinued his education at the Kyoto University of Fine Art (Art Research Center). Following a visit to Europe in 1966, Nishimura's painting style changed from one of heavily textured surfaces to a lighter and more Impressionistic approach. At this time he began a series of paintings of old castles, rendered romantically in tones of mustard yellows and greens, such as the painting offered here. His painting entitled "Castle" won the Prime Minister Award in 1976.