Long Life 1823

hanging-scroll

water colours

hand painted

japan

painted

possibly oil pastel

hanging-scroll

fading type

underpainting

paint stroke

watercolour bleed

watercolour illustration

watercolor

calligraphy

"Long Life" is a hanging scroll by Japanese artist Kameda Bōsai (1752-1826), dating from 1823 and currently housed in the Minneapolis Institute of Art. The artwork showcases the beauty of calligraphy, with flowing black ink strokes on a soft pink background, creating an elegant and peaceful composition. Bōsai's work is characterized by its expressive and masterful use of brushstrokes, highlighting the artist's profound understanding of the art of calligraphy. The inscription, likely a poem or verse, adds a layer of literary depth to the visual experience. "Long Life" exemplifies Bōsai's dedication to the art of calligraphy, capturing the essence of Japanese artistic tradition and cultural values.

Comments

minneapolisinstituteofart about 1 year ago

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Kameda Bōsai was a scholar, artist, calligrapher, social commentator, and poet; highly respected among literati circles but regarded as non-conformist by the administration. His popularity among collectors and his fellow artists is attested to by the number of forgeries of his work in circulation. “Longevity” was written after his long-failing health suffered a sharp decline. Although he was then partially paralyzed and struggling to speak, Bōsai’s celebration of his unexpected longevity in the style of a waka (Japanese-style) poem is among the most visually lyrical of his body of work. He begins on the right with an ink-soaked brush that bleeds luxuriantly into the silk. The following verse is written in a fine, loose cursive script. 壽　わがトしにあや / かれかしとは / おこがまし / いされどもことし / 七十にLong Life / To say that others should reach the same age would be / Quite presumptuous. / Nevertheless, this year I have become seventy-two!(Trans. Stephen Addiss)