Place Saint-Michel 45.3×39cm by Masahiko Hama
This watercolor depicts a lively scene of Place Saint-Michel in Paris, featuring streetside cafes, leafy squares, and surrounding historic architecture.
On the screen, trees with thick leaves herald the arrival of spring, and people are relaxing on the terraces of cafes, providing a glimpse into the life of the city.
In the background are old buildings with unique roofs and windows, and the sky is a gentle shade of orange and blue, creating a calm afternoon atmosphere.
The transparency and light brushstrokes unique to watercolors express the city's landscape in an active and poetic way, allowing the viewer to feel the charming side of Paris.
1938 Born in Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture
1958: Moves to Tokyo and studies at Tokyo YMCA night school
1960 First exhibited at the Nika Exhibition
1965 “Izanagi/Izanami” was selected for the first time at the Nika Exhibition (selected every year thereafter)
1968 First visit to France
1970 Winner of Nika Exhibition 50th Anniversary Award for “Newspaper Seller in Paris”
1971 “Church Wedding” won special selection at Nika Exhibition
Scouted by Ginza Bara Gallery and becomes exclusive to Bara Gallery.
1972 Won the Nika Exhibition Paris Prize for ``Pedestrian Heaven'' and was given the right to study abroad in Paris for 5 years as a supplementary prize.
1974 “Masahiko Hama: Poetry and Heart of Paris” exhibition held at Bara Gallery
1975 “Masahiko Hama: Letters from Paris” exhibition held at Bara Gallery
1976: While studying abroad, won the Salon d'Automne Award in France.
1977 Return to Japan
(Since then, he has traveled to France several dozen times )
1978: Recommended as a member of the Nika Society (subsequently exhibited without examination at the Nika Exhibition, continued to hold solo exhibitions at Ginza Bara Gallery and Shinjuku Isetan Department Store)
1979 “Masahiko Hama Exhibition: Poems of Venice” exhibition held at Bara Gallery
1983: “Masahiko Hama New Works Exhibition” held at Bara Gallery
1986 Selected for the France Le Salon Exhibition (Association of French Artists) (formerly Salon de Paris) Featured in the Weekly Post magazine as one of `` 5 young painters who will lead the future of Japanese art''
1988 One Painting 1 Exhibited at the 7th Contemporary Western Painting Elite Selection Exhibition and won the Silver Prize for ``Ginza Canturatan (Quartier Latin)''
1990 Nika Exhibition Nika Society Friends Award
Appointed as Nika Nagano Prefecture branch chief
Solo exhibitions held at Suwa Marumitsu Department Store, Miyako Bijutsu, and other locations
Passed away in Suwa City in 2018 at the age of 80 .
In January 2019, a memorial exhibition was held at Miyako Art in Belvia, Chino Station.