Artwork

Reverberations of Taiga, Volume 1 (leaf 14)

Reverberations of Taiga, Volume 1 (leaf 14), by Aoki Shukuya, 1704
Reverberations of Taiga, Volume 1 (leaf 14), by Aoki Shukuya, 1704

Reverberations of Taiga, Volume 1 (leaf 14) is a work on paper by the Baroque artist Aoki Shukuya. It dates from 1704 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

This painting shows rocks, trees, and mountains in a simple style.
It's a copy of a master's work, which was a common way for young artists to learn.
The artist, Aoki Shukuya, was a pupil of Ikeno Taiga, and you can see Taiga's influence in these sketches.
You can learn more about this style by looking at the work of artist: Aoki Shukuya (Japanese, d. 1802)

Overview

Aoki Shukuya's 'Reverberations of Taiga, Volume 1 (leaf 14)' is a portfolio piece featuring simple, traditional depictions of natural elements: rocks, trees, and mountains rendered in ink.

Subject & Meaning

The subject matter reflects a common practice in Japanese artistic training, where apprentices copied master compositions to hone techniques. This leaf serves as an exercise in emulating the style of a revered mentor.

Technique & Style

Executed in ink, the piece exhibits a straightforward, unadorned approach characteristic of traditional Japanese apprenticeship work. The simplicity underscores its purpose as a learning tool.

History & Provenance

Created by Aoki Shukuya, a disciple of the prominent Kyoto artist Ikeno Taiga, this work directly shows Taiga's influence. Shukuya's date of death is recorded as 1802.

Context

Within the historical context of Japanese art education, this piece represents a standard step in a young artist's development, mirroring the compositions of their master to master ink and brush techniques.

Artist & collection

Artist

Aoki Shukuya

Aoki Shukuya (1737–1802) was a Japanese artist.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.