Early Summer

Born in Nagano Prefecture, Maruyama Banka studied Western-style painting at Shogido, where he interacted with artists such as Yoshida Hiroshi and Miyake Kokki. Alongside Kanokogi Takeshiro and others, he traveled to the United States. After touring Europe and returning to Japan, Maruyama participated in founding the Taiheiyo Gakai art association. He also joined Oshita Tojiro and others in establishing the Nihon Suisaiga Institute, and later took part in founding Nihon Suisaigakai (the Japan Watercolor Society), helping to lay the groundwork for development of modern watercolor painting in Japan. This painting captures the clear, refreshing air of early summer with a vibrant array of colors. Maruyama employed a technique of placing dabs of paint on the paper so as to capitalize on the inherent transparency of watercolor, producing an effect reminiscent of pointillism. This approach heightens the work’s appeal, as do the figures decoratively dotting the riverside. This work dates from the year before the establishment of the Japan Watercolor Society, during what is considered the height of Maruyama’s career. (J.A.)