Lion (One of a Pair, South Pedestal)

This magnificent bronze lion, one of a pair, was created by Okada Saburosuke, a prominent Japanese painter known for his Western-style (Yōga) art. While Okada is primarily celebrated for his portraits of women, often depicting them with warm skin tones and elegant features, this sculpture demonstrates his versatility and skill in a different medium. Created in 1893, the same year he completed his studies and began to be influenced by artists like Kuroda Seiki, this work reflects the period's engagement with Western artistic traditions in Japan. Okada had a remarkably smooth career progression, eventually becoming an Imperial Household Artist and receiving the Order of Culture, Japan's highest cultural honor. This impressive sculpture, with its green patina, would have been a significant public commission, showcasing the artist's ability to imbue a classical subject with a distinctive presence.