At the age of 12, Goseda Yoshimatsu became a disciple of the English painter Charles Wirgman and acquired an outstanding ability to deftly capture scenes in front of him using Western painting techniques.
In this work, as with Tokyo Sotokanda, it is believed that he first depicted the foreground with people coming and going through the streets of Kumagaya, followed by the rows of houses in the background and then lastly the sky. Judging from the appearance of the people, the season is probably late autumn. The shops on the street include signboards, like “Oryori” (food), and noren curtains with shop names on them. Since celebratory lanterns are hung from the eaves and Japanese flags are flying, this is likely a day of celebration, such as Tenchosetsu (the Emperor’s birthday). There is also a sign saying “Yoshi MA Tsu Gocéda,” with the acute accent mark used in French, suggesting the work was made after the artist returned from studying in France.
(KASHIWAGI Tomoh)
At the age of 12, Goseda Yoshimatsu became a disciple of the English painter Charles Wirgman and acquired an outstanding ability to deftly capture scenes in front of him using Western painting techniques.
In this work, as with Tokyo Sotokanda, it is believed that he first depicted the foreground with people coming and going through the streets of Kumagaya, followed by the rows of houses in the background and then lastly the sky. Judging from the appearance of the people, the season is probably late autumn. The shops on the street include signboards, like “Oryori” (food), and noren curtains with shop names on them. Since celebratory lanterns are hung from the eaves and Japanese flags are flying, this is likely a day of celebration, such as Tenchosetsu (the Emperor’s birthday). There is also a sign saying “Yoshi MA Tsu Gocéda,” with the acute accent mark used in French, suggesting the work was made after the artist returned from studying in France.
(KASHIWAGI Tomoh)