須田国太郎
鳥と花
1942（昭和17）年頃 油彩･カンヴァス 37.0×45.0cm
Kunitaro Suda
Bird and Flower
Around 1942 (Showa 17) Oil on canvas 37.0 × 45.0 cm
須田は、｢果たして自己の表現様式を油絵に求めなければならないだけの必然性をもったか｣と常に問いながら油彩画の制作を行なっていました。西洋の古典芸術への探求を深く進めつつも、東洋の芸術を意識した須田の制作は、結果として東洋と西洋の枠を脱した独自の絵画を実現させたといえます。
本作では薄く溶いた油絵具を塗り重ねるヴェネツィア派のような深い諧調をたたえた描写により、重厚ながら透明感のある色彩を放っていいます。また、遠近法を捨て去った東洋的な奥行との組み合わせが、須田独特の花鳥画の世界を作り上げています。
Suda constantly questioned himself, asking, "Is there truly a necessity to seek my mode of expression in oil painting?" as he worked on his oil paintings. While delving deeply into the study of Western classical art, he remained conscious of Eastern art. As a result, his work transcended the boundaries of both East and West, achieving a unique style of painting.
In this piece, the depiction features deep gradations reminiscent of the Venetian school, achieved by layering thinly diluted oil paints, resulting in colors that are both rich and transparent. Additionally, the combination with Eastern-style depth, which abandons perspective, creates Suda's distinctive world of bird-and-flower painting.