Chrysanthemums 1909 - 1910

Kamisaka Sekka made these Chrysanthemums in Japan using traditional painting techniques. Mineral pigments and ink were applied to paper, creating a design that elegantly merges naturalism with abstraction. Look closely, and you’ll notice that the flowers are built up from countless tiny strokes, demanding incredible patience and skill. Sekka was deeply versed in the traditions of *Rinpa* painting, and these blooms have a decorative flair which suggests pattern making. Yet, they also evoke the beauty and ephemerality of the natural world. Consider the social context for this work: Japan underwent rapid industrialization and modernization during Sekka's lifetime. Artists grappled with how to maintain cultural identity while embracing new technologies and forms of expression. Sekka sought to synthesize tradition with innovation. By honoring meticulous craft, he also resisted the potential alienation of mechanized labor, reminding us of the value of human touch in a rapidly changing world. Sekka shows us that so-called ‘fine art’ can incorporate the values of craft, and still explore important social issues.