Maruyama Okyo 円山応挙

円山応挙 Maruyama Okyo (1733-1795)
Painter of the late Edo period, founder of the Maruyama school. Initially, he learned the painting techniques of the Kano school from 石田幽汀 Ishida Yutei (1721-1786) in Kyoto. He left behind ink paintings with the sharp brushwork and broken ink style characteristic of the Kano School, as well as works influenced by Western-style painting. Later, he created a unique, plain Okyo style that skillfully combined decorative elements with smooth lines and sketchy elements. In particular, he skillfully depicted a wide variety of subjects, including Sansui landscapes, flowers and birds, and figures, and many of his large paintings, such as fusuma paintings and folding screens, are masterpieces. Many painters gathered under his tutelage and formed the Maruyama School.