Artwork
雪竹図|Bamboo and Rock in Snow
雪竹図|Bamboo and Rock in Snow is an ink painting by the Romanticist artist Hyakusen. It dates from 1750 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Technique & Style
As an ink painting on paper support, the medium relies on the tonal variations of black ink to render the formal qualities of the subject matter.
Created in 1750, Bamboo and Rock in Snow is executed as a hanging scroll using ink on paper. The work is classified within the landscape genre, specifically depicting bamboo and snow. As an ink painting on paper support, the medium relies on the tonal variations of black ink to render the formal qualities of the subject matter.
The composition focuses on Bambusoideae, capturing the visual effect of snow accumulation on the vegetation. Produced in Japan by Sakaki Hyakusen, the piece exemplifies the artist's handling of ink wash techniques to define the rock and plant forms against the implied white of the snow. The physical format of a hanging scroll indicates its intended display mode as a vertical artwork.
History & Provenance
The hanging scroll "Bamboo and Rock in Snow" (雪竹図) was created in Japan in 1750 by the Nanga painter Sakaki Hyakusen, as documented in the work’s internal record and confirmed by its Wikidata entry. The painting’s inception date is recorded as 1750‑12‑23, and it was made in Japan using ink on paper. Following its creation, the scroll entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it has been housed since acquisition.
No further ownership transfers are noted in the available sources, and the piece remains part of the museum’s permanent holdings.
Bamboo and Rock in Snow is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Created by Sakaki Hyakusen on December 23, 1750, the work is classified as a painting within the museum's holdings. The artwork depicts bamboo and snow, originating from Japan.
While the specific inventory or accession number is not detailed in the provided records, the piece is confirmed to be part of the museum's permanent collection based on its description as a painting by Hyakusen located there. No specific exhibition history or loan records are documented in the available sources.
Overview
Sakaki Hyakusen's "Bamboo and Rock in Snow," created in 1750, is an ink painting on a hanging scroll. This work portrays a single stalk of bamboo heavily laden with fresh snow. The composition emphasizes the resilience of the plant against the harshness of winter, a common theme in East Asian art. The piece exemplifies Hyakusen's approach to landscape painting using a restricted palette.
Subject & Meaning
The painting centers on a solitary bamboo stalk, depicted bending under a substantial accumulation of snow. This imagery traditionally symbolizes endurance and integrity in East Asian cultures, as bamboo remains green through winter. The heavy snow suggests the severity of the season, while the bamboo's posture conveys its ability to withstand adversity, a metaphor for strength of character.
Context
The depiction of winter plants, particularly bamboo and snow, holds a significant place within Japanese artistic traditions. Artists frequently explored themes of seasonal change and natural resilience through such motifs. Hyakusen's "Bamboo and Rock in Snow" aligns with this established practice, offering his interpretation of a subject rich with cultural resonance and visual potential, often seen in various forms of Japanese art.
Artist & collection
Artist
Sakaki Hyakusen, originally Shin'en (Japanese: 彭城 百川; (11 December 1697, in Nagoya – 2 October 1752, in Kyōto) was a Japanese painter in the nanga style. His other art names included Hōshū (蓬洲), Senkan (僊観) and Hassendō (八仙堂).
