Birds and Flowers under a Willow Tree

Currently not on view

Birds and Flowers under a Willow Tree

Early to mid- 19th century

Oda Kaisen (Japanese, 1785–1862)

Born to a family of textile dyers, Oda Kaisen trained as a painter in Kyoto, where he learned the skillful depiction of birds and flowers in a naturalistic mode favored by the Shijö school, and studied the more stylized, academic Chinese-style painting that had been brought to Nagasaki by emigrant Chinese merchants and artists. In this idyllic scene of an egret and two kingfishers among flowers and plants beneath a willow tree, Oda Kaisen successfully merges the two painting styles. The subtle use of ink washes and dry brushwork give variety and texture to the rocks and plants.

Currently not on view

Object Details

Title:

Birds and Flowers under a Willow Tree

Date:

Early to mid- 19th century

Artist:

Oda Kaisen (Japanese, 1785–1862)

Medium:

Ink and color on silk; mounted as a hanging scroll; wood scroll ends

Dimensions:

65 1/4 × 10 1/4 inches (165.7 × 26 cm) Mount: 7 feet 8 1/8 inches × 28 7/8 inches (234 × 73.3 cm)

Classification:

Paintings

Credit Line:

Purchased with The East Asian Art Revolving fund, 2007

Accession Number:

2007-147-1

Geography:

Made in Japan, Asia

Context:

Period: Edo Period (1615-1868)

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Currently not on view