#12

• Title：Lotus II

• Artist：MIYAGI Yotoku

Green leaves cover the surface of the water, with water lilies blooming gently between them.

The contrast between the deep green leaves and the bright blossoms highlights the delicate beauty of the flowers.

The artist, Miyagi Yotoku, was born in Okinawa in 1903. At the age of sixteen, he went to the United States to study art. However, after witnessing racial discrimination there, he became drawn to socialist movements.

After returning to Japan, he became involved in espionage activities with Richard Sorge and others. He was later arrested and died in prison.

This painting was created during the period when Miyagi had returned to Japan and was engaged in those secret activities.

The water lily, which blooms in purity from the mud, seems to reflect the artist’s own turbulent life. One can only wonder what thoughts he held as he painted this serene yet powerful image.

NEXT（#13 "Self-Portrait" KOBASHIGAWA Hideo）

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