Artwork

清原雪信筆 緋連雀桜竹図|Waxwings, Cherry Blossoms, and Bamboo

清原雪信筆 緋連雀桜竹図|Waxwings, Cherry Blossoms, and Bamboo, by Kiyohara Yukinobu, ink, 1674
清原雪信筆 緋連雀桜竹図|Waxwings, Cherry Blossoms, and Bamboo, by Kiyohara Yukinobu, ink, 1674

清原雪信筆 緋連雀桜竹図|Waxwings, Cherry Blossoms, and Bamboo is an ink painting by the Baroque artist Kiyohara Yukinobu. It dates from 1674 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

Created in 1674 by Kiyohara Yukinobu, this Edo-period hanging scroll presents a composition of waxwings, cherry blossoms, and bamboo.

Created in 1674 by Kiyohara Yukinobu, this Edo-period hanging scroll presents a composition of waxwings, cherry blossoms, and bamboo. The imagery captures a late spring scene, evidenced by the cherry trees shown in full bloom. Beyond its naturalistic depiction of flora and fauna, the work carries specific symbolic weight within Japanese culture.

The waxwings featured in the painting serve as an emblem of marital harmony and familial prosperity. By combining these birds with the seasonal indicator of blooming cherries and the enduring presence of bamboo, the artwork functions as a representation of domestic happiness and the cyclical beauty of the season.

History & Provenance

Created in 1674 during the Edo period, this hanging scroll was executed by the artist Kiyohara Yukinobu in Japan. The work, rendered in ink and color on silk, currently resides in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. While the specific circumstances of its original commission and the detailed chain of ownership prior to its museum acquisition are not delineated in the available records, the painting's inception is firmly established as the mid-seventeenth century.

The composition features waxwings, cherry blossoms, and bamboo, motifs selected to symbolize marital harmony and familial prosperity within the cultural context of its creation.

The hanging scroll by Kiyohara Yukinobu titled 'Waxwings, Cherry Blossoms, and Bamboo' (1674) is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection in New York. The museum's records identify it as belonging to the institution's Paintings department, though no specific accession or inventory number is listed in the available documentation. Neither the museum's catalogue entry nor the cited Wikipedia and Wikidata entries mention any exhibition history for the work, indicating that it has not been featured in publicly documented exhibitions to date.

Overview

The 17th-century hanging scroll, "Waxwings, Cherry Blossoms, and Bamboo," is a painting by Kiyohara Yukinobu. Created with ink and color on silk, it presents a tranquil natural scene. This artwork is part of the permanent collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, representing a significant example of Japanese painting from its period.

Technique & Style

Executed on silk, the scroll showcases a meticulous application of ink and color. Kiyohara Yukinobu utilized faint, layered brushstrokes to build depth and texture, particularly evident in the rendering of the birds' feathers. The delicate precision in depicting the cherry blossoms and the flowing lines of the bamboo reflects the refined aesthetic sensibilities prevalent in Japanese painting during the 17th century.

Context

Kiyohara Yukinobu held a rare position as one of the few women who worked as a professional painter in 17th-century Japan. Her decision to sign this scroll with her own name was a notable act, as it was uncommon for women artists of the era to publicly claim authorship. This practice highlights her professional status and offers insight into the evolving roles of women in the arts during this period.

明 佚名 仿林良 喜上梅梢圖 軸|Birds Amidst Blossoming Plum and Bamboo
明 佚名 仿林良 喜上梅梢圖 軸|Birds Amidst Blossoming Plum and Bamboo, Lin Liang

Artist & collection

Frequently asked questions

Who painted 清原雪信筆 緋連雀桜竹図|Waxwings, Cherry Blossoms, and Bamboo?

清原雪信筆 緋連雀桜竹図|Waxwings, Cherry Blossoms, and Bamboo was painted by Kiyohara Yukinobu in late 17th century.

Where can I see 清原雪信筆 緋連雀桜竹図|Waxwings, Cherry Blossoms, and Bamboo?

清原雪信筆 緋連雀桜竹図|Waxwings, Cherry Blossoms, and Bamboo is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is 清原雪信筆 緋連雀桜竹図|Waxwings, Cherry Blossoms, and Bamboo?

清原雪信筆 緋連雀桜竹図|Waxwings, Cherry Blossoms, and Bamboo is associated with Baroque.