Ikeno Taiga 池大雅

Ikeno Taiga (1723–1776) was a Japanese painter and calligrapher, renowned for his contributions to the Nanga or Bunjinga movement, which was inspired by Chinese literati painting. Born in Kyoto, Taiga was a child prodigy in calligraphy and painting, studying under the tutelage of Chinese immigrant artists and Japanese masters. His work is characterized by a synthesis of Chinese and Japanese artistic traditions, emphasizing spontaneity and personal expression. Taiga's impact on Japanese art is significant, as he helped popularize the Nanga style, which emphasized the artist's scholarly and poetic sensibilities. Throughout his life, he maintained a close association with other intellectuals and artists, including his wife, the accomplished painter Gyokuran. His legacy endures through his innovative brushwork and the integration of poetic elements into visual art.