Obata: Sumi Painting of a German Shepherd at Rest (Sold)

Artist: Chiura Obata   (1885-1975)
Title: German Shepherd at Rest
Date: Jan. 8th, 1938

Large sumi (ink) painting of a sleeping German Shepherd. Obata has captured the shape of the dog with his unerring brush, even though he seems to have used a very wet brush and a minimum of brushstrokes. According to one of Obata’s grandchildren, one of Obata’s children loved dogs very much, and there seemed to be often one as part of the family. We can sense that Obata was very familiar with the dog’s shape, and that he has observed it carefully over time to be able to depict it with such confidence and seeming ease.

It is possible that this is a demonstration painting for one of his many art classes at Berkeley, where he taught between and 1932 and 1954. Perhaps he brought his own pet dog to class as a subject for his students to paint. Signed and dated by the artist, lower right.

Obata’s training in sumi painting began in Japan at the age of seven, and his economy of line and mastery of the brush are practically unequalled in 20th c. American art. 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 and sketches while Obata and his family were interned in Utah during WWII. 

Condition: Very good condition overall. Some tears to upper margin that could easily be restored and original pinholes and some minor surface wrinkles. On imported Japanese paper.

Dimensions: 38.6 x 53 cm  cm
Provenance:   Estate of Chiura Obata. Includes a certificate of authenticity from the estate of the artist.

SKU: OBA130