Naoki Tominaga (富永直樹), Japanese, 1913–2006

A Metal Sculpture: Spring on the Grassland (草原の春)

Showa Era (1926–1989) or Heisei Era (1989-2019)

About the work

A bronze sculpture of a sheep titled “Spring on the Grassland” (草原の春) by acclaimed sculptor Naoki Tominaga. Precisely casting the animal’s woolly coat in fine, textured detail, the piece beautifully captures the gentle presence of spring stirring life upon the meadow. The work offers both realism and subtle idealism: hallmarks of Tominaga’s mature style. 

It comes with its original wooden tomobako (signed storage box), inscribed with the title of the sculpture. 

Dimensions

22.5cm(h) x 27cm(w) x 14cm(d)

Footnote

Naoki Tominaga (1913–2006) was a prominent Japanese sculptor and a member of the Japan Art Academy. Born in Nagasaki, he studied under Kitamura Seibo at the Tokyo School of Fine Arts and began exhibiting at major national shows in the 1930s. He gained early acclaim at the Nitten exhibitions, receiving multiple Special Prizes and the Asakura Prize.

Tominaga’s major public works include monuments in Nagasaki and Oita. In recognition of his cultural contributions, he was named a Person of Cultural Merit in 1984 and awarded the prestigious Order of Culture in 1989.