Iwasa Matabē

1578 - 1650

Iwasa Matabē (1578–1650) is known above all for Rakuchū rakugai zu; the catalogue holds 13 of the artist's works.

Essentials

  • Art period: Early Modern
  • Born: 1578, Itami, Japan
  • Top 3 works:
    • Evening Mist” (Yūgiri), from Collection of Ancient Chinese and Japanese Stories (Wakan koji setsuwa zu)
    • The Poet Mibu no Tadamine, from a set of album leaves illustrating The Thirty-six Poetic Immortals
    • The Four Pleasures
  • Museums on this site:
    • Minneapolis Institute of Art
    • Tokyo National Museum
    • Metropolitan Museum of Art
    • Cleveland Museum of Art
    • Tokugawa Art Museum
  • Works on this site: 13
  • Color intensity: balanced
  • Nationality: Japan

early life and influences

araki katsumochi, a prominent figure in japan's early tokugawa period, left an indelible mark on the art world with his genre scenes, historical illustrations, and captivating portraits. born in 1578, katsumochi was the son of araki murashige, a notable daimyō who met a tragic end, leading to katsumochi's adoption of his mother's family name, iwasa.

artistic style and technique

katsumochi's work is characterized by its distinctive figures, featuring large heads and delicately drawn features. his unique brush technique, blending tosa and kanō elements, allowed him to excel in both color and monochrome ink-wash painting. despite being trained under kanō naizen of the renowned kanō school, katsumochi's style was more heavily influenced by the tosa school.

notable works and legacy

one of katsumochi's most celebrated works is the series of portraits of the thirty-six poetry immortals (1640), commissioned by tokugawa iemitsu for a temple. this masterpiece, signed as "the artist matabei of the later current from tosa mitsunobu," showcases katsumochi's skill in capturing historical events and classical literature.

controversy and legacy

there is ongoing debate among scholars regarding whether katsumochi's works are indeed ukiyo-e or not. in japan, he is often regarded as the originator of ukiyo-e, while some theories suggest he was an independent tosa school painter due to his high social class patrons. conclusion katsumochi's enigmatic life and artistic contributions have left a lasting impact on japanese art. his unique style, blending traditional techniques with innovative brushwork, continues to fascinate art enthusiasts worldwide.

references

related artists and movements

Questions & Answers

How do I find works by Iwasa Matabē on a specific theme?

Iwasa Matabē's works can be explored by keyword on the artist's By Keywords page. Each keyword groups the related artworks.

Is there a 3D virtual tour of Iwasa Matabē's works?

Iwasa Matabē's artworks can be seen in a 3D gallery on the artist's 3D Museum page.

What other names is Iwasa Matabē known by?

Iwasa Matabē is also known as Katsumochi, Hekishōkyo, Katsumochi Iwasa, Dōun, 岩佐又兵衞.

Where can I see the color profile of Iwasa Matabē's work?

The Palette Genome of Iwasa Matabē is a page that presents the color profile of the artist's body of work.