Studio: international art (70.1917)

Studio- Talk

“PREPARING A NET” OIL PAINTING BY ISHII-HAKUTEI

OKYO.-—In order to be faithful to their
artistic ideals, and for the purpose of
encouraging originality and freedom of
expression in art, a number of progres-
sive artists who practise the European style of
painting resolved not to show their work at the
annual Mombusho Art Exhibition (organized by
the Department of Education), and formed some
time ago a society named Nika-kai, which recently
held its third annual exhibition of paintings in
Tokyo. The society is composed of artists most
of whom have studied art in Europe at one time
or another. The exhibition contained some ex-
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cellent examples of their work, as well as
that of outsiders, in oil and water-colour.

Ishii-Hakutei, who is recognized as the
leader of this society, was a prominent
exhibitor. We reproduce here two of his
paintings—Under the Pine-Tree and Pre-
paring a Net. The former, in its general
feeling, in the simplicity of treatment,
shows an approximation to the Japanese
style of painting, which, strange to say,
is a quality very seldom seen in the works
of our oil painters. In the latter painting,
Hakutei is in his usual self, still revealing
his special talent in the treatment of nature.

Harada-Jiro.

“UNDER THE PINE-TREE” BY ISHII-HAKUTEI

same character. The table is of very imposing
appearance; the fauteuils are comfortable, and
the chairs have an air of welcome. An awkwardly
placed door has been concealed by a cleverly con-
trived niche. On the walls fine hangings take the
place of wood at intervals, and the floor cover-
ings of a neutral tone give relief to the furniture
placed thereon. Other interesting features of the
room are the electric light fittings in the shape of
marble-like basins supported by arms at the height
of the frieze; the windows with stained glass by
Socard; and a clock by the sculptor A. Marque,
flanked by two vases by Metthey. H. L.