Dog

Aoki Shigeru,
born in Fukuoka Prefecture in 1882, is an artist who represents the romanticism
of modern Japan. He painted numerous works with themes such as Japanese
mythology and ancient Indian tales, enchanting the people of the time with his rich
expressiveness and creativity.

After wandering
Kyushu due to poverty and familial conflict for approximately three years at
the end of his life, Aoki passed away at the young age of 28 from lung disease.
“Dog” is a work made during his time wandering around Kyushu. In “Dog,” the
figure of one dog, posing like an actor, is depicted in a backlit scene at dusk,
a dramatic setting quite typical of Aoki. One can perceive the high level of
Aoki’s descriptive ability from the drawing of such aspects as the stretched
shoulder muscles and the nimble-looking hind legs.