Cranes
1760
unspecified
From the collection of Metropolitan Museum of Art
Cranes is a 1760 unspecified by Soga Shōhaku, depicting Crane, held at Metropolitan Museum of Art.
The image shows two paintings side by side. The left painting depicts a tall crane standing in a grassy area, facing right. The crane has a long neck and legs, with its beak open as if calling out. The right painting shows a fish swimming in water, with bamboo stalks and leaves in the foreground. The paintings are done in black ink on a beige background, with some subtle shading and texture. The paintings are quite detailed, with intricate lines and patterns on the crane's feathers and the fish's scales. The bamboo stalks are depicted in a simple yet elegant style, with a few leaves scattered throughout. The overall effect is one of serenity and calmness, as if the viewer is gazing at a peaceful scene from nature. The paintings are the work of Soga Shōhaku, a Japanese artist known for his bold and expressive style.
Shōhaku spent his life in Kyoto, the creative heart of Japan, where he painted scrolls and screens that looked nothing like the soft landscapes of his day.
See the richer artist page
