A Study in Contrasts

Japanese Paintings from the Sanso Collection

With 40 paintings ranging from the 14th -19th centuries, this exhibition explored various contrasts—in subject matter, format, moods, artistic style and brushwork—employed by Japanese artists to express ideas and emotions. Some of the works were intended for display in temples or palaces, while others were intimate paintings purely for personal viewing. A wide variety of techniques was displayed in works that ranged from lush bird and flower paintings in brilliant colors to austere mountain landscapes rendered in shades of black ink. The Sanso Collection is one of the pre-eminent private collections of Japanese paintings in the United States. This exhibition, selected by Scripps College Professor Bruce Coats, was shown in conjunction with courses on Japanese arts and culture at Pomona and Scripps colleges.