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Tani Bunchô, 1763-1840
Snow-covered Tree
1838
Although Tani Bunchô is often associated
with bunjinga painters, he was remarkably eclectic and
could paint in many of the styles popular in the early nineteenth
century. At various points in his career, he studied Kanô,
Tosa, and even Western style art. His skills were in high demand
throughout his career and he received commissions from a variety
of sources.
Snow-covered Tree
exemplifies a type of painting sometimes referred to as kyôga,
or "crazy painting." It is expressive to the point
of abstraction and conveys an intuitive sense of the subject.
Like the hatsuboku landscape paintings in this gallery,
kyôga works are spontaneous, and display an aesthetic
of virtuosity. Kyôga, however, sometimes pushed
these considerations to an extreme. Many kyôga artists
worked when they were heavily intoxicated.
Ackland Art Museum, The University of North Carolina at Chapel
Hill, Gift of Ruth and Sherman Lee; 96.15.1
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