Boys in the Nude

In this piece, Akino uses her young sons as models to depict the immature physique and limbs of boys in their youth. Although this was not her first work using childen as its subject, this was the period in which she began to grasp composition, color, and expression following much trial and error. The basis of the composition is the ochre done in coarse paints covering the entire scene. In 1951, this work won the 1st Uemura Shoen Award, letting Akino break away from the style of her government-sponsored exhibitions period. It is said to be the foundation of Akino-ism.