Kono Michisei made many self-portraits early in his career, including this one, which he painted at the age of 23. It has a compelling realism that seems to embed itself in the viewer’s memory and a unique air of calmness and intensity. The kimono collar is reversed left to right because the artist was painting himself in a mirror. The light from the left accentuates the artist’s forward gaze. Michisei became familiar with Western European paintings at an early age through his father’s collection of art books. The influence of Renaissance art from northern Europe is particularly apparent in his self-portraits, which emphasize shading and detail. This painting, in which he wears a fur coat, recalls the famous Self-Portrait in a Fur-Collared Robe (1500) by the German artist Albrecht Dürer. (UCHIYAMA Junko)
Kono Michisei made many self-portraits early in his career, including this one, which he painted at the age of 23. It has a compelling realism that seems to embed itself in the viewer’s memory and a unique air of calmness and intensity. The kimono collar is reversed left to right because the artist was painting himself in a mirror. The light from the left accentuates the artist’s forward gaze. Michisei became familiar with Western European paintings at an early age through his father’s collection of art books. The influence of Renaissance art from northern Europe is particularly apparent in his self-portraits, which emphasize shading and detail. This painting, in which he wears a fur coat, recalls the famous Self-Portrait in a Fur-Collared Robe (1500) by the German artist Albrecht Dürer.
(UCHIYAMA Junko)