Sage and Two Boys in a Boat Enjoying Lotus Flowers c. 1683

Curator: This is "Sage and Two Boys in a Boat Enjoying Lotus Flowers" by Kano Tansetsu. It certainly evokes a sense of tranquility. Editor: That's the first thing I noticed too, the placid water and the soft colours! I wonder what sort of pigments Tansetsu would have used for the lotus leaves. Curator: Knowing the Kano school, it would likely be a careful layering of mineral pigments. It gives the leaves a certain weight, doesn’t it? Editor: It does, but also, look at how simply the boat is rendered. Practical, no frills. It's a working boat as much as a pleasure craft. Curator: Perhaps it’s both. I like to think of the lotus blossoms as representing purity, rising above the muddy waters of everyday life. Editor: I agree that this small detail really draws your eye in to see a beautiful, simple scene. Curator: It is simple, isn't it? Almost deceptively so. Editor: These artists knew exactly how to invite the viewer in! Curator: Absolutely.