Japanese Bronze By Itô Kunio - Horse At A Trot

This elegant bronze sculpture by Itō Kunio 伊藤国男, (1890-1970) testifies to the refined sensibility and technical mastery that characterize one of the most accomplished figures of early JapaneseJapanese sculpture of the early modern era. Born in Iwate prefecture in 1890, Kunio emerged during a period of profound artistic transformation, where Japanese sculptors were fully committed to the fusion of national aesthetics and Western academic realism. His participation inprestigious exhibitions such as the Imperial Bunten and the National Art Society helped establish his reputation as one of the leading representatives of dynamic, naturalistic bronze in the early and mid-twentieth century. His works can be found in major institutional collections, such as that of the Tokyo National Museum of Modern Art (notably "La Charge of a Gun Carriage"), as well as in public installations linked to the Imperial Imperial House and university campuses.

This work is an eloquent testimony to Kunio's lifelong fascination with the equine figure. The horse, captured in full gallop, radiates vitality and controlled energy; its movement, both fluid and deliberate, embodies a perfect balance between anatomical precision and expression. Kunio's acute understanding of musculature is reflected and supple: the arc of the neck, the rhythmic tension of the flanks and the finely observed articulation of the limbs contribute to an impression of latent power and grace. Unlike academic studies, this sculpture is animated by an inner life, its momentum subtly suggested by the forward extension and raised tail.

The surface treatment is equally masterful. A rich, warm brown patina bronze, whose soft reflectivity enhances the play of light on the sculpted surfaces. This nuanced finish accentuates the volumetric clarity of the form, but also lends the work a timeless, almost palpable presence. The organically shaped base, irregular and textured, anchors the composition without altering its immediacy, preserving the impression of a fleeting moment, frozen in metal.

Created during the rise of modern Japanese sculpture at the beginning of the Shōwa era (circa 1930), this work reflects a successful synthesis of traditionand innovation. Kunio's legacy lives on in his bronzes, which are still in great demand sought-after by collectors and museums alike, admired for their vitality, refinement and technical excellence. To better understand his work, reference can be made to Uma: Itō Kunio no Chōkoku, a fundamental work that gives  the central place of the horse in his artistic vision.

This sculpture is not simply the representation of an animal, but the very expression of movement, strength and sculptural intelligence - characteristics that define Itō Kunio's enduring legacy.