Obata: Sumi painting "Vigour, Vitality" (Sold)

Artist: Chiura Obata   (1885-1975)
Title: Study of an Insect and Worm--Vigour, Vitality
Date: August 24, 1932

Obata’s own title at bottom reads “Vigour, Vitalty”, and “2A”. This work was definitely a demonstration painting for what must have been his first semester teaching classes at UC Berkeley, where he taught from 1932 until 1954. This is from his first year of teaching, and he has taken as his model an insect that has caught a worm. He has captured the insect's  vigour as well as its creepiness.  Obata's economy of line and mastery of Japanese-style brushwork are practically unequalled in 20th c. American art. The University of California, Berkeley preserved all of his paintings while Obata and his family were interned in Utah during WWII. Provenance: Estate of Chiura Obata. Includes a Certificate of Authenticity from the estate. 

Condition: Very good condition overall, with a few spots on the paper, mainly along left edge. On imported Japanese paper.  Unbacked.
Dimensions: 38 x 52.6 cm
Provenance:  Provenance: Estate of Chiura Obata. WIth a Certificate of Authenticity from the estate of the artist.
Signature: Unsigned; noted in the artist’s hand “2A. Vigour, Vitality, Aug 24, 1932”

SKU: OBA084