Yuki Ogura

Yuki Ogura

Yuki Ogura was a pioneering Japanese painter who made significant contributions to Nihonga (traditional Japanese painting) as a female artist in the Shōwa era. Born in 1895 in Ōtsu, Shiga Prefecture, she was known for her bold yet refined compositions, featuring flowers, antiques, and portraits rendered in a crisp colour palette with strong, confident brushwork. Her paintings harmonised Eastern philosophy with modern artistic expression, earning widespread acclaim. Deeply interested in Western art, Ogura studied the works of Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso, incorporating elements of their styles into her practice. By blending traditional Nihonga techniques with Western influences, she played a key role in modernising Japanese painting.