Artwork

Sparrows on Blossoming Plum; A Sage with Tiger; Chinese Bird on Snow-Laden Branch

Sparrows on Blossoming Plum; A Sage with Tiger; Chinese Bird on Snow-Laden Branch is an unspecified painting by the Baroque artist Kano Tan'yū. It dates from 1661 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Accession no.: 1992.80
Credit line: Bequest of Harley C. Lee and Elizabeth K. Lee

About this work

Overview

Sparrows on Blossoming Plum; A Sage with Tiger; Chinese Bird on Snow-Laden Branch is a 1661 painting by Kanō Tan’yū, a prominent figure in the Kanō school during Japan’s Tokugawa period.

Subject & Meaning

The painting features a serene natural scene with a small bird on a curved, blossoming plum branch set against a muted background, evoking calmness through its gentle composition.

Technique & Style

Employing soft colors and delicate lines, the work adheres to Kanō school traditions, characterized by harmonious natural depictions and subtle, soothing aesthetics.

History & Provenance

Created in 1661 by Kanō Tan’yū, the painting is a representative example of the Kanō school’s output during the Tokugawa era, reflecting the artist’s mastery of the school’s stylistic conventions.

Context

Part of the broader landscape genre in Japanese art, this piece situates itself within the artistic preferences of the Tokugawa period, emphasizing harmony with nature.