<b>STILL LIFE ON TABLE</b> / Kunzo Minamic. 1920s<b>SOLD</b></em>

Details

The multifaceted artist, Minami Kunzo, is remembered for his astonishing oil and watercolor paintings, as well as his pioneering Sosaku Hanga. The artist was among the first to travel to Europe during Japan’s opening to the West. While in Europe, he was fascinated by the work of the moderns—the paintings of Cezanne were particularly meaningful to Minami. Upon his return to Japan, Minami was deeply inspired to produce work in a highly individualistic manner that was both relevant to his time as well forward-looking. In so doing, Minami’s work paved the way for a new generation of artists. 

In this charming still life, Minami presents three ripening apples on top of a table. The work is a riot of color and texture—one can easily see the artist’s active brushstrokes throughout the composition, which serve to animate a traditionally still scene. The angle of the white cloth at right further suggests movement—perhaps someone is pulling the cloth away from the table and setting the two apples in motion, rolling toward the third. The apple furthest to the left is perched onto a portion of the tablecloth with vertical lines that drape off the composition, creating a precarious sense of tension. The active circular brushwork that constitutes the fruit’s form further advances the sense of playful movement.

It is interesting to consider this work to that of Cezanne’s own well-known still life compositions. In Cezanne’s case, his designs were quite solid and ridged. The fruit was assembled on top of tables mirroring his landscape composition. Although the color was an important agent within Cezanne's work, the pigmentation of his compositions was more earthy, further echoing the stability of his landscapes. In sharp contrast, Minami’s work in this painting is dynamic and playful. The brighter colors, active brushwork, and strong asymmetrical composition activate this lively work and imbue it with a playful resolve meant to engage with the unassuming viewer.

Connoisseur's Note

This original oil on the panel is a stunning example of the artist's work and is in excellent condition with fresh and vivid colors. There are no flaws, with no chips or losses to the pigment. The painting is signed by the artist in blue at the lower right of the composition.