Bairei Gakan (Bairei Art Museum)

the work

Bairei Gakan (Bairei Gakan)

"Bairei Gakan" is a collection of woodblock prints by Kono Bairei ( 1844-1895), a representative flower and bird painter of the Meiji period . This 1913 edition was published after Bairei's death, and allows you to enjoy the beautiful images of birds and flowers depicted with his sensitive observational skills and outstanding painting technique .

Kono Umeyama Biography

• Born in Kyoto in 1844 .
• He learned the techniques of the Kano school, and later adopted the styles of the Maruyama and Rinpa schools.
• After the Meiji Restoration, he became a central figure in the Kyoto art world.
• He specializes in painting flowers and birds, and his works are characterized by their detailed depictions based on realistic sketches, decorative compositions, and vivid color expressions.
• He trained many disciples and had a great influence on the modern Kyoto art world.
• He died in 1895 (aged 50).

Representative works

• Bairei Gakan (1903-1913)
• "Picture of a Hundred Birds and Beasts"
• "Illustrated Scroll of Flowers and Birds of the Four Seasons"

Umeyama's style and achievements

Umeyama's work is characterized by a unique style that incorporates the realistic expression of Western painting while being based on traditional Japanese painting techniques . He accurately captures the ecology and characteristics of birds and flowers, and creates paintings that are rich in poetry and decorativeness.

In particular, "Bairei Gakan" is his masterpiece, and its depiction of various birds and flowers captivates the viewer. This work is one of the important achievements in Japanese painting in the Meiji period, and had a great influence on subsequent bird-and-flower paintings.

Umeyama trained many disciples and made a major contribution to the development of the modern Kyoto art world. His works are filled with a timeless beauty that fuses the traditions and innovations of Japanese painting .