Sketch for the Portrait of Tachihara Suiken 1800 - 1841

This sketch by Watanabe Kazan, completed sometime between 1800 and 1841, depicts Tachihara Suiken, a prominent figure in Japanese art and literature. The artist, known for his refined and elegant style, captures Suiken’s likeness with a combination of delicate ink lines and subtle washes of color. Kazan's masterful use of line creates a sense of depth and texture, highlighting the sitter's weathered features and the flowing lines of his clothing. This preparatory sketch, now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, provides a glimpse into the artist's process and reveals the masterful skill of a celebrated Japanese painter.