Who painted Summer and Winter Landscapes?

Summer and Winter Landscapes was painted by Kano Naonobu in 1628-01-01.

Where can I see Summer and Winter Landscapes?

Summer and Winter Landscapes is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Summer and Winter Landscapes?

Summer and Winter Landscapes is associated with Kanō school.

Artwork

Summer and Winter Landscapes

Kano Naonobu , 1628

Summer and Winter Landscapes is an unspecified painting by the Kanō school artist Kano Naonobu. It dates from 1628 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

History & Provenance

No earlier owners or commission details are documented in the available sources, so the known provenance begins with its acquisition by the museum.

Summer and Winter Landscapes was painted by Kanō Naonobu in 1628 while he was active in Japan. The work entered the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art and is recorded under accession number 2015.481. No earlier owners or commission details are documented in the available sources, so the known provenance begins with its acquisition by the museum.

The dating of 1628 is based on the artwork’s inception date. It remains on view or in storage at the museum as part of its Japanese painting holdings.

Summer and Winter Landscapes is held by the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is accessioned as 2015.481. The painting was created in Japan in 1628 by Kanō Naonobu and entered the museum's collection, where it remains part of the holdings. No exhibition history is recorded in the available sources.

Overview

Created in 1628 by Kanō Naonobu, a painter of the early Edo period, Summer and Winter Landscapes is a diptych that juxtaposes two tranquil scenes. The left panel suggests a mist‑filled summer vista with gentle hills and a lone boat, while the right panel presents a stark, rocky shoreline that may evoke winter. Both are rendered in muted grays and browns, emphasizing atmosphere over detail.

Subject & Meaning

The composition pairs two seasonal moments, inviting contemplation of nature’s cyclical change. The serene summer scene conveys calm through its smooth water and soft horizon, whereas the winter counterpart introduces a solitary figure on a cliff, suggesting introspection amid harsher elements. The contrast between the open, misty space and the rugged, enclosed shore underscores a meditation on the passage of time.

Technique & Style

Naonobu employs the Kanō school’s characteristic ink wash, using light shading and bold negative space to define forms. Simple geometric shapes outline hills, water, and rock, while subtle gradations of ink create depth without heavy line work. The restrained palette of grays and browns, combined with delicate outlines, reflects a refined approach that balances spontaneity with controlled brushstrokes.