An artwork on Galleree from Minneapolis Institute of Art.
About the artwork
Dragonlate 18th century
Artist: Itō Jakuchū
Japanese, 1716 - 1800
profile of dragon facing left; mouth agape; black and white pigment; dragon's head placed between solid black curving shape; loose brush stroke swooshing toward upper right corner; two untranslated stamps in Japanese characters in red ink below solid black shape
40 1/4 × 11 3/8 in. (102.24 × 28.89 cm) (image)
69 1/4 × 16 5/8 in. (175.9 × 42.23 cm) (without roller)
Hanging scroll; ink on paper
hanging scroll
Japan
18th century
Gift of Willard G. Clark
In the quiet, bustling heart of 18th-century Japan, Itō Jakuchū spent his days amid the fragrant aisles of his family's grocery store. For forty long years, his hands deftly filled baskets with the freshest produce, while his mind danced with colors and shapes unseen. The shop was a tapestry of life, vibrant with the chatter of customers and the hustle of choices made, yet far beyond the wooden shelves piled high with goods, Jakuchū's spirit yearned for something greater—an artistic awakening.
As the seasons turned and the years unfurled, a deep calling pulled at his heart. With a heavy but determined sigh, he made the bittersweet decision to pass the reins of the family business to his younger brother. This act of trust was more than a mere transition; it was a leap toward his true self, a surrendering of the familiar for the enchanting unknown that lay within the strokes of a brush.
Now, free from the ties of commerce, Jakuchū enveloped himself in the world of painting. With each stroke, his brush became a wand, conjuring fantastical forms that leaped from his imagination onto the canvas. His style awakened with a breath of life—powerful brushwork echoed the tales his heart whispered, while sharply defined lines became the architecture of his dreams, influenced by the rich heritage of Chinese painting that had long captivated him.
In the stillness of his studio, surrounded by the lingering scent of ink and lacquer, Jakuchū painted not only with his hand but with his soul. His canvases flourished with blossoms of unearthly beauty, vivid landscapes, and ethereal creatures, inviting viewers to delve into the landscapes of both the external world and the inner realms of the spirit. What began as a solitary journey of self-discovery resonated outward, transcending time and place, reminding us all of the importance of heeding the quiet whispers of our own hearts.
About the artist
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