Enso

nakagawasoen

toned paper

light pencil work

teenage art

possibly oil pastel

personal sketchbook

underpainting

sketchbook drawing

watercolour illustration

sketchbook art

watercolor

"Enso" by Nakagawa Soen, a Japanese artist born in 1907, is a classic example of Zen art. The artwork features a single, bold black circle, representing the void, painted with a single stroke of the brush, symbolizing the universe and the interconnectedness of all things. The calligraphic inscription within the circle further reinforces the Zen philosophy of emptiness and enlightenment. This minimalist approach, typical of Japanese ink-wash painting, invites viewers to contemplate the profound meaning behind the simplicity of the form.