Obata: Brush Drawing of a Seated Model (Sold)

Artist: Chiura Obata   (1885-1975)
Title: Brush Drawing of a Seated Woman
Date: September 25th, 1941

Sumi-e brush drawing of a seated model, posed for a class beside a hydrangea and a book. There was a platform for models in Obata’s classroom, and she sits on the step leading to the platform. She wears what seems to be Spanish-style clothing, with a scarf covering her hair, a full skirt and low-heeled slippers.

This comes from one of Obata’s sketchbooks that contained a great variety of scenes; perhaps he kept it with him most of the time. Obata’s economy of line and mastery of the Japanese-style brush are practically unequalled in 20th c. American art. Obata taught at Berkeley between 1932 and 1954, where he influenced a generation of California artists, and at his own count taught more than 10,000 students. The University of California, Berkeley preserved all of his paintings while Obata and his family were interned in Utah during WWII.

SKU: OBA063