Description/
The viewer's eyes are greeted with the direct view of a magnificent Western-style building. The three domes—a large one flanked by two small ones—, stone pillars and walls of white stone tiles indicate the subject to be the Tokyo Imperial Museum (today's Tokyo National Museum). The Japanese name given to the building (Hyokeikan, 表慶館) signifies its commemorative role in celebrating the marriage of Imperial Prince Yoshihito (later to be named Emperor Taisho). The architect was Katayama Tokuma. The green roofs of the museum, palm leaves in the front and foliage along the street complement the dominant orange-brown hues to relieve the imposing stature of the building. Red leaves and dead branches along the boulevard clue the viewer in on the autumn season. The road stretches from the bottom edge of the picture all the way up to the plaza in the middle ground, its bright color alleviating the melancholy undertone of the brown hues and making the middleground appear lighter and more spacious. The museum in autumn appears tranquil and pleasant thanks to the varying density of the composition, contrast of warm and cold tones and the staffage of leisurely tourists.
Museum in Autumn
1926
Materials & Techniques：Oil on canvas
Dimension：33.5x45 cm
Private Collection
Location:Tokyo Imperial Museum, Hyokeikan (Today’s Tokyo National Museum, 13-9 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo, Japan)
