Kayo Yamaguchi (1899-1984) Japanese Women In The Bath

Happy meeting of Japanese and Western cultures, grace, sensitivity and finesse for this work by Japanese painter Kayo Yamaguchi; The work is a mixed technique on a hardboard panel presented in a simple frame (a wooden stick painted white) which measures 80.5 cm by 60.5 cm and 77.5 cm by 57.5 cm for the hardboard panel alone. It represents two Japanese women in a bathroom. The work in excellent condition is signed lower right, on the back an inscription in Japanese and the label of a Cannes Grand Prix award. A modern work with delicate and fine lines where an atmosphere of softness, mystery and exoticism reign, as well as all the charm of the culture of the land of the rising sun.

YAMAGUCHI Kayo (1899-1984) was born in Kyoto in 1899 and began his studies with NISHIMURA Goun in 1912. He entered the Kyoto City Specialized School of Painting in 1916 and won his first prize at the 10th annual edition of Bunten (exhibition of the Ministry of Education). . He also flourished by receiving high awards at the annual Teiten Exhibition (Imperial Academy Exhibition) in 1927 and 1928. He is particularly famous for his animal paintings. Having followed the traditions of the Shijo and Maruyama schools that he learned from NISHIMURA Goun and TAKEUCHI Seiho, he created paintings with modern Western style and innovative Nihonga painting techniques. On the other hand, his efforts to train the next generation of painters also deserve special mention, as he spent many years teaching at the Kyoto City Specialized School of Painting and then at the Specialized School of Fine Arts. -arts of Kyoto City (both now Kyoto University in Kyoto City). Arts). Additionally, with the sudden death of his teacher NISHIMURA Goun in 1938, Kayo formed the Shinchokai painting study group. Crowning his many achievements, he received the Order of Cultural Merit in 1956. This exhibition is the artist's second retrospective at the National Museum of Modern Art in Kyoto. We will present the work of Yamaguchi Kayo through approximately 75 representative paintings, including newly discovered works, sketches, and preliminary large- and small-scale paintings. We will also feature the artist himself, who continued to paint a kingdom of birds, flowers and animals through keen sensitivity and exceptional insight. We hope that visitors to this exhibition will appreciate the works of this exceptional artist who captured the brilliance of life itself. He participated in Takeuchi Seho's study group through Goun's recommendation. In 1927 and 1928 he received a special exhibition prize from the Imperial Academy of Fine Arts. He painted not only animals but also flowers and plants very well. He also worked as a painting teacher at the Nagaoka Joshi Art School and the Kyoto City Specialized School of Painting. In April 1912, he studied with Nishimura Goun. In October 1916, he was selected for the Bunten exhibition. In March 1919, he graduated from the Kyoto City Specialized School of Painting. In October 1927 and October 1928, he received a special exhibition prize from the Imperial Academy of Fine Arts. In May 1936, he became an assistant professor at the Kyoto City Specialized School of Painting. In October 1936, he judged in the Shin-bunten, Kyoten, Nitten and Shin-nitten cases. In November 1938, he opened a painting school, Shincho sha. In March 1942, he became a professor at the specialized school of painting in the city of Kyoto. In November 1956, he received the Japan Academy of Fine Arts Prize. In November 1958, he became an advisor to the Kyoto City Museum of Art. In March 1969, he successively held the positions of administrator, auditor, executive director and advisor of the Nitten company. In November 1971, he was recognized as a Person of Cultural Merit of Kyoto City. In December 1971, he became a member of the Japan Academy of Arts. In November 1973, he received the third class of the Order of the Sacred Treasure. In November 1980, he was designated a person of cultural merit. In November 1981, he was decorated with the Order of Culture. In October 1982, he became an honorary citizen of the city of Kyoto. In March 1984, he obtained third Junior rank.