Reece Tatum. This is a gallery about Lotus flowers and the many different kinds and ways that they are reflected in art. The lotus flower is most significant to the Asian culture therfore it as often represented through Asian art. I will cover them to the best of my ability while not pretending I actually have any idea what Im actually talking about. The lotus is very beautiful and elegant looking, it is interesting to see how different artist recreate its image through different mediums.
Lotus, Kazumasa Ogawa, 1896, From the collection of: The J. Paul Getty Museum
This representation of a pink lotus flower is absolutley beautiful. It has a an almost photo real feel to this painting. The color against the background gives it a very soft texture and feel. The pink Lotus flower is perhaps the most meaningful of any and is used to represent Buddha himself.
Dreamy Lotus, Wo Yue-kee, Henry, 2003, From the collection of: Hong Kong Museum of Art
"Dreamy" is precisely how I would describe this painted rendition of Lotus flowers. This painting is not exactly shooting for a realistic point of view but perhaps a figurative view on how the artist views Lotus flowers, in a dreamy sort of way. The way the colors kind of all blend and shape over each other really gives this painting a unique feel. The white Lotus flower represents a sense of awakening.
Fun at a Lotus Pond, Zhang Daqian, 1947, From the collection of: Long Museum West Bund
White lotus flowers are known for there beauty amongst others due to the location the typically grow in, murky muddy swamps. The serene and perfect looking white lotus really pops out around its surroundings. I believe this is the idea behind what this artist was trying to say with the extremely thick and dark background accented with the soft and delicate flowers popping out.
Kingfisher on lotus, Artist: Ohara Koson, Publisher: Yosaku Nishinomiya, 1900s, From the collection of: Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art
Upon investigating artistic renditions of Lotus Flowers the white lotus seems to be the most widely used. I believe this is because the white lotus represents a "beginning" or a sense of knowing. In other words it represents a human being and the start of there spiritual journey. This artist has represented the flower in its natural habitat with a Kingfisher bird resting beside it. The background has a very open and distant feel much like a lake or swamp.
Lotus, Yi In-mun, 1745/1821, From the collection of: Korea Data Agency
It is unknown to me what a black lotus flower might represent. Blue represents wisdom while purple represents a sense of understanding. Lotus typically represent purity and perhaps the artist was trying to represent something impure. Or maybe it is just a black and version of some other kind of lotus. This lotus looks dreary and dying due to its slouched stature and nature.
Ducks Swimming in a Lotus Pond, Shim Sa-jeong, 1707/1769, From the collection of: Korea Data Agency
This grouping of white and pink lotus flowers is exquisite. The organic lines of the stalks give it a nice flow to the focus and buds of the flowers. I am not certain what the large very dark plants in the back growing along side the lotus' are but the deep dark tone gives the lotus more character and draws the viewers attention.
Lotus and Birds, Bada Shanren, 1705, From the collection of: China Modern Contemporary Art Document
This seems to be a much more abstract rendition of a lotus flower. It is barley recognizable as a lotus until further inspected. The inky dark colors used make it hard to break up what your seeing and focus on the flower. I am not familiar with this art style but it is certainly a unique use of shading.
East Indian Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera), British 19th Century, late 19th century, From the collection of: National Gallery of Art, Washington DC
The majority of the Lotus flowers shown before reflected that of the Asian culture. It is interesting to see the stylistic differences from an east Indian artist. The leafs beneath the flower have a nice organic plume and poofy kind of look to them. I would describe this lotus as looking softer or more delicate than the others.
Lotus, Seo Byeong-o, 1862/1935, From the collection of: Korea Data Agency
This style looks like some type of ink blotting or water coloring. This technique gives the lotus a very natural feel and look. Although the bright and vivid color you typically see in a lotus is absent I enjoy this artists perspective and use of dark shades.
Lotus, Kim Gyu-jin, 1868/1933, From the collection of: Korea Data Agency
This seems to be a type of watercolor painted lotus flower featuring what looks like some dragon flies. This color palette best represents the delicate nature of the lotus flower more so than any of the previous pictures. The application of this painting seems very soft and floaty. Upon further inspection I began to notice the all the intricate details of the flower.
Credits: All media
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