Helen Hyde studied painting not only in her home country of the United States but also in Europe. At the age of 31 she traveled to Japan for the first time, influenced by the Paris-based painter and Japanophile Félix Régamey. At first she studied Japanese painting, but on the recommendation of Ernest Fenollosa, an art historian specializing in Japanese art, she began making woodblock prints. Hyde stayed in Japan for more than 10 years in total and painted many portraits of Japanese mothers with their children, as well as just children. Here, two children bow to each other in the center of the image, with potted wisterias and lattice sliding doors arranged almost symmetrically around them. The outlines of the two figures form a gentle circle, conveying the calmness and courteousness of their bows. Hyde’s perspective on these polite, kind children is brimming with affection.
(YATSUYANAGI Sae)
Helen Hyde studied painting not only in her home country of the United States but also in Europe. At the age of 31 she traveled to Japan for the first time, influenced by the Paris-based painter and Japanophile Félix Régamey. At first she studied Japanese painting, but on the recommendation of Ernest Fenollosa, an art historian specializing in Japanese art, she began making woodblock prints. Hyde stayed in Japan for more than 10 years in total and painted many portraits of Japanese mothers with their children, as well as just children. Here, two children bow to each other in the center of the image, with potted wisterias and lattice sliding doors arranged almost symmetrically around them. The outlines of the two figures form a gentle circle, conveying the calmness and courteousness of their bows. Hyde’s perspective on these polite, kind children is brimming with affection.
(YATSUYANAGI Sae)