Kunitaro Suda

Western-style painter. Born in Kyoto on June 6, 1891. He studied oil painting and Noh music from his time at the Third High School. He majored in aesthetics and art history at Kyoto Imperial University, writing his graduation thesis on "realism." In graduate school, he studied "theory and technique of painting" and attended the Kansai Art Academy. In 1919 (Taisho 8), he stayed in India and then arrived in Madrid, where he mainly copied works by masters at the Prado Museum and traveled around Europe. After returning to Japan in 1923, he lectured on art history at his alma mater, Kyoto Imperial University, and other institutions while also creating and exhibiting oil paintings. In 1934 (Showa 9), he became a member of the Independent Art Association and exhibited works such as "Hokanji Pagoda." In 1940, his work "Walking Eagle" was purchased by the Ministry of Education. Seeking a fusion of Eastern and Western art, he pioneered the world of modern oil painting using his own chiaroscuro technique, and in 1947 (Showa 22), he was recommended as a member of the Japan Art Academy. In 1975, he became a professor at Kyoto City University of Arts and served as the university's acting president, mentoring the next generation of artists. He continued to exhibit at independent exhibitions and other events, and reached a state of profound realism in painting that harbours a sense of mystery, as seen in works such as "Dog." In 1981, he exhibited his work at the Venice Biennale, where it was well received, and in 1984 he received the Mainichi Art Award. He passed away on December 16, 1961.

[Tadao Ogura]

"20 Japanese Masterpieces: Suda Kunitaro" edited by Yasushi Inoue, Michiaki Kawakita, and others (1976, Chuokoron-Shinsha)

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

洋画家。明治24年6月6日京都に生まれる。第三高等学校時代から油絵と謡曲を習う。京都帝国大学では美学美術史を専攻して「写実主義」を卒論とし、大学院では「絵画の理論と技巧」を研究テーマとするほか、関西美術院に通う。1919年（大正8）インド滞在を経てマドリードに至り、以後おもにプラド美術館で巨匠たちの作品を模写するほか、ヨーロッパの各地を巡遊する。23年帰国後は、母校京都帝大ほかで美術史を講じるかたわら油絵の制作、発表に励む。34年（昭和9）独立美術協会の会員となり、『法観寺塔婆』ほかを出品。40年の『歩む鷲(わし)』は文部省買上げとなる。東西美術の融合を求め、独自の明暗法による近代油彩画境を開拓し、47年（昭和22）日本芸術院会員に推された。50年京都市立美術大学教授、学長代理として後進の指導にあたりながら、独立展ほかにも発表を続け、『犬』などにみる神秘感を秘めた深い写実画境に達した。56年ベネチア・ビエンナーレ展に出品して好評を博し、59年毎日美術賞を受ける。昭和36年12月16日没。

［小倉忠夫］

『井上靖・河北倫明他編『日本の名画20　須田国太郎』（1976・中央公論社）』

出典　小学館　日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)について　情報 | 凡例