Hanging scroll painting - Kikuchi Keigetsu (1879-1955) - Scroll, ink and color on silk, mounting on silk - Bijin holding an oil lamp - Japan - Taishō period (1912-1926)

Hanging scroll painting - Kikuchi Keigetsu (1879-1955) - Scroll, ink and colour on silk, mounting on silk - Bijin holding an oil lamp - Japan - Taishō period (1912-1926) Scroll, ink and color on silk, silk mounting Kikuchi Keigetsu (1879-1955) Taishō-Shōwa, 20th century 140 (h) x 61. 5 cm (207 (h) x 77. 5 cm) This painting is of a beautiful woman who holds an oil lamp, and appears calm and devout with her closed eyes. Lotus flower petals are seen at her feet. Her clothes and earrings are in the Tenpyō (729 - 749 AD) apparel style. Kikuchi Keigetsu, a pupil of Kikuchi Hobun (1862-1918) of the Shijō school, traveled in Europe from 1922 to 1923. He has been deeply moved by Egyptian archaeological works and exotic arts appear to have influenced his style. Keigetsu received many Bunten and Teiten awards. His famous painting titled “Ritsujyo” of a beautiful Tenpyō woman was created for the Teiten award in 1924. This painting was inspired by it.