Who painted Sparklers on Summer Evening?

Sparklers on Summer Evening was painted by Shiokawa Bunrin in 1741-01-01.

Where can I see Sparklers on Summer Evening?

Sparklers on Summer Evening is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Sparklers on Summer Evening?

Sparklers on Summer Evening is associated with Rinpa school.

Can I buy a print of Sparklers on Summer Evening?

Museum-quality prints of Sparklers on Summer Evening are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Sparklers on Summer Evening

Shiokawa Bunrin , 1741

Sparklers on Summer Evening is an unspecified painting by the Rinpa school artist Shiokawa Bunrin. It dates from 1741 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Technique & Style

The work is executed as a painting on a flat support, reflecting traditional Japanese brushwork and compositional balance characteristic of the mid-Edo period.

The work is executed as a painting on a flat support, reflecting traditional Japanese brushwork and compositional balance characteristic of the mid-Edo period. Its formal qualities emphasize delicate line work and subtle gradations of color to evoke atmospheric effects of fireworks against a summer night sky. The handling of pigment and brushstroke demonstrates controlled application, contributing to a refined visual harmony.

The artwork is housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains part of their collection of Asian paintings.

History & Provenance

Shiokawa Bunrin painted Sparklers on Summer Evening in 1741, creating a work now held in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The painting entered the museum's collection through a documented acquisition, establishing its current ownership chain. Its creation occurred in Japan during the 18th century, reflecting the artistic output of the period.

Sparklers on Summer Evening is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The painting, dated 1741, is catalogued within the museum's holdings as a work by the Japanese artist Shiokawa Bunrin.

No specific accession number, department, or exhibition history is documented in the available sources.

Overview

Shiokawa Bunrin’s 1741 painting Sparklers on Summer Evening is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection. The work depicts a quiet nocturnal scene in which a black earthen pot releases thin streams of smoke, while slender sticks emerging from it glow softly. A white fan rests nearby, its smooth curves contrasting with the pot’s solidity, all set against a muted, atmospheric background.

Subject & Meaning

The composition centers on a simple domestic tableau that evokes the calm of a summer night. The glowing tips of the sticks suggest sparklers or incense, hinting at ritual or leisure activities associated with seasonal festivals. The juxtaposition of the dark pot and the luminous points creates a subtle play of light and shadow, inviting contemplation of transience and quiet celebration.