Chrysanthemum and Paulownia 1909 - 1910

Kamisaka Sekka made this painting of chrysanthemums and paulownia. Look at the composition! There are soft pinkish white chrysanthemums on one side, contrasted with a big dark leaf behind it. And purple flowers poking out around a green leaf at the top. The artist is thinking about contrasts here, the balance of light and dark. I like to imagine Sekka making this piece, carefully laying down each flat plane of color, feeling their way through the composition, adjusting and refining until it feels just right. There's a sense of intentionality and control in the precise placement of each element, yet the overall effect is one of effortless grace. The gold lines in the dark leaf connect this work with traditions of Japanese art, but Sekka brings a modern sensibility to it, simplifying forms and flattening the picture plane. It's like he's saying, "I respect the past, but I'm also looking toward the future." It’s a beautiful example of how artists can draw on tradition while forging their own path.