Who painted Spring and Autumn Farming?

Spring and Autumn Farming was painted by Kō Sūkoku in 1774-01-01.

Where can I see Spring and Autumn Farming?

Spring and Autumn Farming is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Spring and Autumn Farming?

Spring and Autumn Farming is associated with Ukiyo-e.

Can I buy a print of Spring and Autumn Farming?

Museum-quality prints of Spring and Autumn Farming are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Spring and Autumn Farming

Kō Sūkoku , 1774

Spring and Autumn Farming is an unspecified painting by the Ukiyo-e artist Kō Sūkoku. It dates from 1774 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

History & Provenance

Created in 1774 by the Japanese artist Kō Sūkoku, Spring and Autumn Farming was produced in Japan during the artist's lifetime (1730–1804).

Created in 1774 by the Japanese artist Kō Sūkoku, Spring and Autumn Farming was produced in Japan during the artist's lifetime (1730–1804). The work eventually entered the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is held under the accession number 2012.72. While the specific circumstances of its commission and the intermediate owners between its creation and museum acquisition are not detailed in the available records, the painting's inception is firmly established as 1774.

The painting Spring and Autumn Farming by Kō Sūkoku is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. The work, created in 1774, is identified within the museum's records by the accession number 2012.72. While the artwork was produced in Japan, current documentation confirms its location at the Cleveland institution.

Overview

Spring and Autumn Farming, painted by Kō Sūkoku in 1774, is a double‑panel work that depicts rural activity across two narrow horizontal scenes. The upper panel presents workers along a riverbank, tending fields and moving along pathways, while the lower panel expands the village setting with thatched roofs, baskets, and plowing. A backdrop of trees, hills and distant mountains unifies the composition, rendered in a restrained palette of soft, muted tones.

Subject & Meaning

The painting records the cyclical labor of agrarian life, juxtaposing spring planting with autumn harvest. Figures are shown engaged in everyday tasks, fishing, fence repair, carrying produce, illustrating the continuity of communal effort throughout the year. By presenting both seasons side by side, the work underscores the rhythm of the agricultural calendar and the interdependence of human activity and the natural landscape.

Technique & Style

Kō Sūkoku employs fine, linear brushwork to render minute details, allowing individual gestures such as a hand casting a net or a foot stepping on a path to be discerned. The composition relies on flattened perspective and subtle gradations of ink and watercolor, creating a calm yet bustling atmosphere. The muted colour scheme and delicate shading emphasize the serene quality of the countryside while maintaining narrative clarity.