Artwork
Goose and Reeds; Willows in the Moonlight
Goose and Reeds; Willows in the Moonlight is an unspecified painting by the Maruyama Shijo artist Maruyama Ōkyo. It dates from 1792 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
History & Provenance
The work, titled Goose and Reeds; Willows in the Moonlight, is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains located.
Created in 1783 by the Japanese artist Maruyama Ōkyo, this painting was produced in Japan. The work, titled Goose and Reeds; Willows in the Moonlight, is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains located.
The painting Goose and Reeds; Willows in the Moonlight by Maruyama Ōkyo is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is accessioned as 1981.176. It entered the museum's holdings in 1981 and has not been recorded in any major exhibition history according to available documentation.
The work was created in 1783 in Japan and remains part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's permanent collection without documented exhibition activity.
Overview
Created in 1792 by the Japanese painter Maruyama Ōkyo, this work, titled Goose and Reeds; Willows in the Moonlight, is part of the collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The composition presents a quiet nocturnal landscape in which a lone goose glides across the left side of the picture while a grouping of reeds and willows occupies the right, all set against a muted, atmospheric background.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure, a goose in mid‑flight, is rendered with a gentle, swooping gesture that suggests both movement and tranquility. Opposite the bird, slender reeds and drooping willow branches appear to sway in a faint breeze, evoking a sense of natural harmony and the quietude of a moonlit night. The juxtaposition of animal and vegetation underscores a contemplative observation of the natural world.
Technique & Style
Ōkyo employs a refined brushwork that captures fine details of plumage and plant texture while maintaining an overall softness. Subtle gradations of tone create a delicate chiaroscuro effect, giving the scene depth without harsh contrast. The balanced arrangement of the soaring goose and the vertical reeds reflects the artist’s interest in compositional equilibrium and his skill in rendering atmospheric light.
Artist & collection
Artist
Maruyama Ōkyo (円山 応挙; Japanese pronunciation: , June 12, 1733 – August 31, 1795), born Maruyama Masataka, was a Japanese artist active in the late 18th century.
