Tom Nakashima, Sanctuary at Western Sunset, 1992, oil on canvas,
101 1⁄2 x 120 3⁄8 in. (257.9 x 305.9 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Gail and John Enns, 2008.38
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Artwork Details
- Title
- Sanctuary at Western Sunset
- Artist
- Date
- 1992
- Location
- Dimensions
- 101 1⁄2 x 120 3⁄8 in. (257.9 x 305.9 cm)
- Credit Line
- Gift of Gail and John Enns
- Mediums
- Mediums Description
- oil on canvas
- Classifications
- Highlights
- Subjects
- Animal — fish
- Architecture Exterior
- Object Number
- 2008.38
Artwork Description
The fish approaches the threshold of a large chapel, a place of refuge inspired by the Arena Chapel in Padua, Italy, decorated with religious-themed frescoes by Giotto, a famous fourteenth-century Italian painter. For Nakashima, his structure serves as a path to Japan and represents safe passage across landscapes, times, and cultures.
Videos
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Artist Tom Nakashima discusses the significance of the fish in this work, his relationship to Eastern and Western art, and his belief in the monumental importance of paintings.