text from The Gitter-Yelen Art Center > New Acquisitions 2002-2003
The Eccentrics

Itô Jakuchû (1715-1800)

A few select artists of the Edo period are known today as "the Eccentrics" or the "Individualists" because of their unique freedom of expression that resisted classification into any of the new or established schools of painting of their time.

Jakuchû was chronologically one of the earliest of these unconventional artists and is known for works both in lavish color and in monochrome ink. In contrast to his obsessively detailed polychrome depictions of animals and insects such as the Dôshoku Sai-e (Colorful Realm of Living Beings), his monochrome works demonstrate an absolute boldness of composition and unleashed brushwork.

As John Stevens has so aptly described it, this painting "is a Daruma Elephant -- the head-on, in your face, eyeball to eyeball portrayal is reminiscent of Miyamoto Musashi's celebrated 'Penetrating Gaze Daruma.' Like Daruma, an elephant is a regal figure -- massive, intent, unstoppable."

The Zen-like humor of the piece makes it a perfect addition to the collection.