Dream 1904

Fujishima Takeji made this evocative painting called 'Dream', we don't know exactly when, but it's a beauty. Look at the soft hues of red, brown, and black. It's like witnessing a whispered secret emerge onto the canvas. I can imagine Fujishima, brush in hand, coaxing this vision into being, adding layers of meaning with each stroke. The paint seems thin, almost translucent, allowing light to penetrate and breathe life into the dreamy subject. Her closed eyes suggest an inner journey, a contemplation, or maybe just a well earned rest. I wonder what thoughts are swirling around in her mind? Fujishima has deftly captured a fleeting moment, inviting us to pause and reflect on the power of imagination and introspection. It reminds me of other portrait painters like John Singer Sargent, who sought to capture not just likeness but the essence of their subjects. There's a lineage of artists speaking to one another across time. And isn't that what art is all about, an ongoing conversation that embraces ambiguity and celebrates the myriad ways of seeing the world?