Obata: Watercolor Painting of Flowers and Stream

Artist: Chiura Obata   (1885-1975)
Title: Watercolor of Stream and Orange Flowers
Date: 1948

Dynamic watercolor landscape of a colorful blend of plants next to a rushing stream. Orange trumpet-shaped flowers bend towards the water, and we see a fernlike plant with pinnate leaves adding its unusual shapes to the background. The artist’s dating of this work to 1948 is most helpful, as we can see how Obata’s work often became more experimental over time, as seen here with his treatment of the water. The artist has indicated the water using surging volumes, with just a small area of splashing edges towards the bottom left. The coloration is also unusual, with the addition of sumi ink to the lighter blue color offering a strong contrast. Obata’s mastery of the brush was so complete that he could paint in many different styles, all of them unique to his experience and training.

Obata’s 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. Provenance: Estate of Chiura Obata. With a certificate of authenticity from the estate of the artist.

Obata’s training in sumi painting began in Japan at the age of seven. He wrote that there were three disciplines essential to the practice of sumi-e, beginning with “Before the student touches a brush to paper, his mind must be as tranquil as the surface of a calm, undisturbed lake.” (See Chiura Obata: An American Modern, page 71.) 

Condition: Very good condition overall. Lower left corner has been repaired and there is a mat line that follows each edge.  With the original backing that was applied to the paper by the artist. 
Dimensions: 52.7 x 39 cm  cm   Signed: Chiura Obata 
Provenance:  Provenance: Estate of Chiura Obata. Includes a certificate of authenticity from the estate of the artist.

SKU: OBA143