Nanga
Relaxing under a pineSigned: Baigai koji
Seals: Toki Shi noin, Shiu
Technique: sumi and very light colours on paper 120 x 28.5
Date: 1803
Mounting: beige Chinese damask 196 x 41.8
Box: Authorized in 1892 by Takamori Saigan (1847-1917)
Condition: very good
Baigai became an important Nanga artist. He was born in Osaka where he received a first class education. The former Ôbaku monk Chô Tôsai (1712-1786) introduced Baigai to the Bunjin world. Without money he went to Kyoto where he worked in the pleasure quarters of Gion as an entertainer and comic. On his way to Edo he met with Masuyama Sessai (1754-1819 an enthusiastic patron of the bunjin movement, who awarded Baigai in 1783 with the post of Confucian scholar in his Edo residence. With Haruki Nanko (1759-1839) Baigai travelled to Nagasaki in 1790 to study Chinese classics, calligraphy and painting and resigned from his post with Sessai. As an eccentric bunjin now he went back to Osaka where he joined the group around Kimura Kenkadô (1736-1802) and started a Confucian training school.
Reference:
Roberts p. 7
Araki p. 1748
Rosenfield B.98 (# 166)
Adams & Berry p. 52 (# 15)
Addiss '75 p. 38 (# 15)
Price: SOLD
