Kuroda Seiki: Works from his days in France

Although Kuroda Seiki initially made his passage to France as a law student at 17 years of age, it was as a painter that he returned to Japan nine years later. Kuroda's identity as a painter emerged and took shape entirely in France.

Notes in Kuroda's diary reveal that it was painters Yamamoto Hosui and Fuji Gazo, and art dealer Hayashi Tadamasa, who recognized artistic talent in the pictures he drew for pleasure and encouraged him to become an artist. Yamamoto was a student of salon painter Jean-Leon Gerome, whilst Fuji studied under Louis-Joseph-Raphael Collin.

Kuroda, who initially accompanied Fuji to his lessons with Collin in the capacity of translator, eventually also became a student of Collin's. Together with Kume Keiichiro, another Japanese student under Collin, Kuroda rented an apartment with an atelier, and there began to pour his energy into painting.

This exhibition, the museum's third thematic display centred around Kuroda Seiki, showcases works produced during his time spent in France. Following Kuroda on his journey towards becoming a painter, it features a variety of works from his student days, including "Reading" (which was accepted for exhibition at the Salon) and a selection of early sketches. In addition, works of Collin and fellow Japanese artists who spent time with Kuroda in France as students have also been made available for display, with the kind assistance of The University Art Museum - Tokyo University of the Arts.