Ogata Gekko

Ogata Gekko (1859-1920) was a Japanese painter and ukiyo-e artist active from the Meiji to Taisho periods . After losing his father at the age of 16, he began selling his rickshaw designs and newspaper illustrations, and embarked on a career in art. While inheriting traditional ukiyo-e techniques, he incorporated the realistic expression of Western paintings, and left behind works in a wide range of genres, including historical paintings, portraits of beautiful women, and landscapes. His refined style and delicate use of color captivated many people, and he became a representative figure in the ukiyo-e world of the Meiji period.

Ogata Gekkou Biography

• Born in Edo (present-day Tokyo) in 1853 .
• He lost his father at the age of 16 and made a living by designing rickshaws and selling illustrations to newspapers.
• He studied Japanese painting under Kano school painter Kano Hogai .
• He began painting ukiyo-e in the late 1870s and gained popularity for his portraits of beautiful women.
• In the 1880s, he also began painting historical and landscape paintings.
• He died in 1920 (aged 61).

Representative works

• Portrait of a beautiful woman:

  • "Thirty-two Aspects of Manners and Customs" series (1897-1898)
  • The Thirty-six Selected Works series (1888–1891)
  • "The 100 Beauties of Tokyo" (1893)

• Historical painting:

  • "Illustration of the Imperial Diet of Japan" (1890)
  • "Nishikie (Colored Pictures) of the First Sino-Japanese War" (1894-1895)

• Landscape painting:

  • "Illustrated Guide to Famous Places in Tokyo" (1892)

Gekko's painting style and achievements

Gekko's works are characterized by refined lines, beautiful colors, and compositions that incorporate the perspective of Western painting. He was particularly skilled in portraits of beautiful women, idealizing the beauty of women from the Meiji period. He also overwhelms viewers with his detailed depictions and dynamic compositions in historical and landscape paintings .

Gekko was a leading figure in the ukiyo-e world during the Meiji period, and his works are invaluable records that reflect the society and culture of the time. He also opened up new possibilities for ukiyo-e by fusing traditional ukiyo-e techniques with Western painting expression . His works are still recognized for their high artistic value today, and are held in art museums both in Japan and abroad.