A backstreet of Rome is immersed in the color of deep blue. According to an autograph signature and date on the back, this painting was produced in 1969. A few works bearing the same title executed in the same year can be found in his catalog raisonné. Kamoi Rei spent his summer and autumn of 1966 in Rome as stated by his chronology. Perhaps this painting was one of his fulfillment of this trip based on his sketches and memories. Kamoi is so skilled at delineating the depth of human being that even a solid building as his subject somehow evokes the presence of human being, as if it were a portrait. It is relatively rare to see Kamoi’s works based on the real cityscape, like the present work.

Kamoi depicts the sky as a mere section in the upper center of the work. Thanks to the sunlight, the upper part of the center wall is painted in its actual color. The alley encircled by the buildings, on which the walls are cast over the shadow, is as dark as it is in the deep ravine even in the daytime. A small car is parked in the lower right along the street, and a white broken line outstretches up, suddenly being drawn into further left. The brighter blue touches added on the end of the road attract the viewer’s attention to the further and deeper dimension of the painting.

Kamoi Rei (yoga painter; 1928−1985)
Ishikawa-born yoga painter. Graduated from Kanazawa College of Art. Selected for Niki-kai Exhibition while at school. Later became a member of Niki-kai. Exhibited intensively during his stay in Paris from 1959 to 1961, and recognized as a promising young artist. Wandered around South Africa in 1965, and stayed in Spain and France from 1970 to 1977. Digging out his inner self through  ceaseless, strict self-observation is his determined attitude towards the artistic making. Received many awards including Le Salon des Artistes Français, the Ministry of Education Award for Fine Arts, the Cultural Awards of Kobe City and Hyogo Prefecture.