Verzameling ontwerpen - vijf 1901

This is Tsuda Seifû's 'Verzameling ontwerpen - vijf', or 'Collection of designs - five', and I think it's made with ink on paper. You know, there's a lot to be said for keeping things simple. What I love here is the way the artist uses a limited palette – basically browns, whites, and blacks – to create a sophisticated sense of depth and texture. The tiny dot patterns scattered around look like constellations or little clouds, and the blossoms, spare as they are, speak of spring and renewal. The brushstrokes of the calligraphy vary in pressure and weight, giving it a real sense of presence, like a dance on the page. Looking at the top character, it seems to contain or surround the others, which are more linear. It makes me think of the way Agnes Martin composed her grids. In both cases there is a really understated sense of composition, a balance of elements, that is so satisfying. We see here that the conversation between East and West is alive and well.