松林桂月
牡丹
1955（昭和30）年頃 絹本墨画淡彩･額装 49.0×56.0cm
Keigetsu Matsubayashi
Peony
Around 1955 (Showa 30) Ink and light color on silk, framed 49.0 × 56.0 cm
はじめに塗った墨が乾く前に別の色や墨を重ねる｢たらし込み｣の技法で、雨に洗われた牡丹の清らかな姿が描き出されています。胡粉（ごふん）を花弁にのみ少量たらし込むことで花弁の重なりが省略され、雨に潤う牡丹のようすを巧みに捉えています。南画を学んだ桂月には珍しく線描を用いずに描いているため、伸びやかでやわらかな表現が一層際立ち、淡い墨で彩られた静かな情景のなかに優美な趣を秘めています。
The technique of 'tarashikomi,' where another color or ink is applied before the first layer dries, is used to depict the pure appearance of peonies washed by rain. By applying a small amount of gofun (white pigment) only to the petals, the overlapping of the petals is simplified, skillfully capturing the appearance of peonies moistened by rain. Unusually for Keigetsu, who studied Nanga (Southern School painting), this work is drawn without using line drawing, making the expression more fluid and soft, and enhancing the elegant charm within the quietly colored scene in light ink.