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Nostalgia
Painted at the end of October 1959 |
| Oil on canvas |
| 116.1
x 90.7cm |
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The works of Seiji Togo, known for his unique
representation of women, are the products of an extremely refined
sensibility and sense of beauty, supported by superb technical
mastery. Togo's primary aim was to create art that could be
understood and enjoyed by virtually anyone. His uniqueness and
widespread popularity were uncommon in Japan.And his art, with
its elegant, romantic style, has been called a glorification
of women.
The museum houses over two hundred of Togo's works spanning
his career from 1914 to 1977. Included in the collection are
some seventy oil paintings, and numerous drawings, etchings
and lithographs, sculptures and tapestries.The paintings held
by the museum range from a "Self-portrait" dating
from 1914 when the artist was only 17 years of age, "Playing
the Contrabass"--exhibited at his first one-man show in
1915, which was considered the most avant-garde at the time--
the cubism-influenced "Village Feast" (1923) painted
during his stay in Paris, and the surrealism-inspired "A
Surrealistic Stroll" (1929), to examples of his mature
style in "Nostalgia" (1959), "Tassili" (1974),
embracing the artist's attraction to the Sahara Desert in later
years, and "Rio de Janeiro" (1977), Togo's last exhibit
at the Salon Nika. |
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| 1897 -- |
Born in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan. |
| 1914 -- |
Graduates from the middle school of
Aoyama Gakuin University. |
| 1915 -- |
Works in a room at Kosaku Yamada's Tokyo
Philharmonic Orchestra Akasaka Research Institute.
His first one-man show at the Hibiya Art Museum, and meets Ikuma Arishima, who
becomes his mentor. |
| 1916 -- |
Studies in France.
Visits the Futurist Filippo Martini in Torino and participates in the Futurist
movement, but despairs of their philosophy. |
| 1921 -- |
Studies in France.
Visits the Futurist Filippo Martini in Torino and participates
in the Futurist movement, but despairs of their philosophy. |
| 1922 -- |
Studies at the Lyon Art Academy. |
| 1928 -- |
Returns to Japan.
The 15th Nikaten specially exhibits 23 of his European works.
Is awarded the 1st Showa Western Art Promotion Award. |
| 1931 -- |
Becomes a member of the Nika Society. |
| 1938 -- |
The Kyushitsukai is formed within the
Nika Society, and Togo and Leonard Fujita become advisers. |
| 1945 -- |
Works to rebuild the Nika Society following
the end of World War II. |
| 1957 -- |
Receives the Japan Art Academy Award. |
| 1961 -- |
Becomes a member of the Japan Art Academy. |
| 1969 -- |
Is decorated as an Officier d'ordre
des Arts et des Lettres by the French government. |
| 1974 -- |
Explores the Tassili of Algeria and
lives in tents with the Tog. |
| 1976 -- |
Is decorated with the Order of the Rising
Sun, Second Class,with Rays.
Seiji Togo Art Museum is opened. |
| 1978 -- |
Dies at age 80 in Kumamoto.
Is posthumously named a Person of Cultural Merit of the fourth court rank. |
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