Lot 338: Nagasawa Rosetsu (1754-1799) and Matsumura Keibun (1779-1843) Maruyama School, late 18th century

Maruyama School, late 18th century
Kakejiku, a pair of scrolls, in ink and slight colour on silk, the right scroll with a cuckoo flying against the full moon, signed Rosetsu sha with two seals Ro and Setsu; the other showing a crow flying among cherry-blossom petals fluttering in the wind, signed Keibun with seal Kaibun no in; with wood storage box. Each 103.5cm x 41.3cm (40¾in x 16¼in). (3).

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Published and illustrated: Kyoto-shi Chukyo Ohashi-shi Shuzo Oyobi Boke Shozohin Nyusatsu Mokuroku (Auction catalogue of the collection of Mr Ohashi of Chukyo, Kyoto City, and the property of anonymous family), Kyoto Bijutsu Club, 1916, pl.12.
Kyoto Bijutsu Club ed., Kyo Bi Shu (The Collection of the Art of Kyoto), vol.625, Kyoto Bijutsu Club, Kyoto, 1929.

Compare with another painting, depicting the same subject by Rosetsu, illustrated in Chiba City Museum of Art and Wakayama Prefectural Museum, The 200th Anniversary of His Death, Exhibition of Nagasawa Rosetsu, Exhibition Catalogue, 2000, p.143, pl.71.

Rosetsu was born into a low-ranking samurai family. He entered the studio of Maruyama Okyo (1733-1795) and became arguably the most talented of the Master's pupils. An eccentric and violent character, he was allegedly expelled from Okyo's studio due to his idiosyncratic manner. After becoming independent he developed his own style. He was particularly fond of animal subjects.

He lived in Kyoto, where Keibun studied with his older brother Matsumura Goshun (1752-1811) as well as with Maruyama Okyo. He was noted particularly for his kachoga, which were often drawn from nature.