808
TOGO SEIJI ( 1897 - 1978 )
Members only
oil on canvas framed
signed
Provenance: A Gallery in Osaka
TOGO SEIJI was a prominent Western-style painter in Japan. In 1915, at the age of 18, he held his first solo exhibition, gaining attention for his avant-garde Futurist style. The following year, he debuted at the Nika Exhibition with "Woman with a Parasol", winning the Nika Prize. This work is considered one of Japan's earliest avant-garde paintings. From 1921, he spent seven years in France, studying Western painting techniques in museums. He met Futurism founder Filippo Tommaso Marinetti and engaged with Picasso, gradually shifting from avant-garde to a blend of Neoclassicism and Surrealism. Upon returning to Japan, he embraced modernist culture, working in book design, illustration, and murals. Over time, he incorporated Western motifs and established "Togo Beauties", a signature aesthetic widely known as the "Togo Style", which remains influential today.
The portrayal of women was a symbolic theme throughout the life of Togo, characterized by graceful and fantastical depictions of feminine beauty. His works reflect the profound influence of his experiences in Paris during his youth. In his early career, he was inspired by Cubism and Surrealism, painting women with vivid colors and bold compositions. Later, his style evolved to incorporate Japanese aesthetic sensibilities, expressing serene beauty through gentle brushstrokes and subdued tones. While rooted in Western painting techniques, his works came to embody a uniquely Japanese sense of calmness and tranquility, earning recognition for their ability to evoke profound healing and emotional resonance. Particularly notable are the slightly distant gazes of the women, their soft and elegant postures symbolizing inner strength and kindness.
152.0×364.0cm
(59 ⅞ × 143 ¼ in.)
2025/10/23
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