SHIHODO Gallery is pleased to bring to you “Motifs the artists loved”, in which we shine a light on some of the motifs that Japanese yōga-Western style painting- artists repeatedly portrayed throughout their lifetimes, selecting those which were particularly loved and symbolic of their oeuvres.

We invite you to explore the essence of the motifs which captivated these sixteen artists, and how each of the artists expressed their allure.

As Japan started to modernized in the Meiji era (late 19th century), oil paintings, which were made using western techniques previously unknown in Japan, were imported from the West. To the Japanese of the time, the realistic physical portrayals in these oil paintings would likely have come as a startling revelation from the artistic styles they were accustomed to.

Once these western styles were introduced, many Japanese artists travelled to Europe and America to acquire the techniques of oil painting and make them their own. As yōga -western style painting- became established, Japanese artists pursued their individual expressions, seeking a uniquely Japanese style distinct from their western counterparts.

Each of the artists have motifs which they repeatedly and continuously sought to interpret throughout their lives. To some, that challenge was to extract the glorious colours of the roses that would captivate them. To others, it was the exploration of how to capture the grandeur of the landscapes that they were stunned by.

Each of the works we have selected are categorized by their motifs, such as “Roses” “Horses” “Female figure” and “Landscapes”. We invite you to explore the essence of these individual motifs, and how each of the artists expressed their allure in their unique styles.