Untitled (Mountains) 

Ike no Taiga created this evocative mountain landscape using ink and light colors on paper during the 18th century. The composition is dominated by a large, softly rendered mountain form, its peak suggestively off-center. Notice the interplay of graded washes and dry brushstrokes. Taiga uses these to define the contours of the mountain, creating a sense of volume and depth with minimal tonal contrast. The trees scattered on its surface are indicated with quick, dark strokes, lending a sense of scale to the monumental form. Taiga's interest here isn't in topographical accuracy but in conveying a feeling of nature, hinting at the philosophical traditions that valued subjective experience over objective representation. The monochrome palette and the economical use of line invite contemplation, focusing on the essential structure of the landscape. This reflects a broader cultural engagement with landscape as a mirror for the self and the universe.