Nieuwe zee der kunsten - 20 Possibly 1904

This book cover, Nieuwe zee der kunsten - 20, was made by Furuya Kōrin. The cover has this muted, earthy tone, almost like old paper or worn fabric, a ground for sparse yet deliberate marks. I imagine Kōrin, in his studio, carefully applying each stroke. The stark contrast between the dark calligraphy and the lighter, organic shapes, it's like a visual poem. I see the brush dancing across the surface, leaving behind traces of thought and feeling. The twigs or branches? They feel like whispers of nature, a subtle echo of the world outside the studio. It reminds me of Cy Twombly's scribbles, but with a Japanese sensibility. There is a quiet, contemplative energy, a conversation between tradition and innovation. It reminds you that artists are always riffing off of each other, across continents and centuries. Painting is like a game of telephone that never ends.