Artwork
Puppies, Sparrows, and Chrysanthemums
Puppies, Sparrows, and Chrysanthemums is an unspecified painting by the Nihonga artist Nagasawa Rosetsu. It dates from 1788 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Technique & Style
The composition balances dynamic animal subjects with botanical elements within a restrained spatial framework typical of Edo-period screen paintings (tier 1.
Nagasawa Rosetsu (1754–1799) painted Puppies, Sparrows, and Chrysanthemums in 1776 using traditional Japanese painting methods (tier 1.0 · corpus · internal). The work is executed in ink and color on silk, depicting playful puppies alongside sparrows and chrysanthemums with characteristic loose brushwork and subtle tonal modeling (tier 1.0 · corpus · internal). The composition balances dynamic animal subjects with botanical elements within a restrained spatial framework typical of Edo-period screen paintings (tier 1.0 · corpus · internal).
History & Provenance
Nagasawa Rosetsu painted Puppies, Sparrows, and Chrysanthemums in 1776 while residing in Japan. The work entered the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it remains on view in the Edo-period gallery. Its provenance traces directly from creation in late 18th-century Japan to its acquisition by the museum, documented through the artist’s documented output and the museum’s cataloguing of the piece as part of its permanent holdings.
Overview
Created in 1788 by the Japanese painter Nagasawa Rosetsu, “Puppies, Sparrows, and Chrysanthemums” is an ink and color work now in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. The composition presents a quiet domestic scene rendered with a light, airy touch, allowing the figures to appear almost suspended within an understated background.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts two small, fluffy dogs perched on a branch amid stylized chrysanthemum blossoms, while a sparrow rests nearby. The inclusion of familiar animals and flowers suggests a gentle observation of everyday life, inviting contemplation of the simple pleasures found in nature and domestic companionship.
Artist & collection
Artist
Nagasawa Rosetsu (長沢芦雪; 1754–1799) was a Japanese painter during the Edo period. A disciple of the Maruyama School, he was known for his versatile artistic style. He was born to the family of a low-ranking samurai. He…
