The Pola Museum of Art in Hakone will host the "Time in Masterpieces" exhibition, focusing on the depiction of time in paintings, from December 8th to March 17th, 2019.


Paintings do not change or move with time. However, the worlds depicted in paintings express various periods of time. This expression is diverse, ranging from a fleeting moment captured in a single moment to specific eras expressed through the incorporation of contemporary motifs and narratives born from intertwining with literary works. How is the formless concept of "time" expressed in painting? The concept of time, which has changed dramatically in the modern era, has influenced not only people's lives but also the expressions of artists.

This exhibition will feature approximately 80 exquisite works selected from the Pola Museum of Art's collection of 10,000 pieces, with themes of "time" in painting, such as scenes of a "moment," the atmosphere of an "era," and "eternity." Through works in a wide range of genres, including Western and Japanese paintings and prints, the exhibition explores how artists chose motifs and methods of expression to depict formless time.


In addition, as a special feature, flower artist Azuma Makoto will be exhibiting his video series "Drop Time," a collaboration with floral paintings from the Pola Museum of Art's collection. The work recreates three paintings using fresh flowers: Kuroda Seiki's "Chrysanthemum," Pierre-Auguste Renoir's "Anemone," and Odilon Redon's "Japanese Vase," reminiscent of autumn flowers. The flowers were then photographed over several weeks to record the changing lives of the flowers, creating a video work that expresses the seemingly passing of time. This is an opportunity to experience the expression of "time" depicted in paintings, along with collaborative works by Azuma Makoto.