Artwork
Flowering Cherry and Autumn Maples with Poem Slips
Flowering Cherry and Autumn Maples with Poem Slips is an unspecified painting by the Tosa School artist Tosa Mitsuoki. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.
About this work
Overview
Created around 1650 by the Japanese painter Tosa Mitsuoki, this hanging scroll depicts a tranquil landscape dominated by two contrasting trees. A gold ground unifies the composition, while a modest foreground of rocks and grass grounds the scene. The work is part of the Art Institute of Chicago’s collection and exemplifies the refined elegance of mid‑Edo court painting.
Subject & Meaning
The composition juxtaposes a cherry tree in full blossom with an autumn maple displaying vivid red foliage, symbolizing the fleeting nature of seasonal change. Paper strips suspended from the branches suggest the inclusion of poetry or personal messages, inviting contemplation of the transience of life and the harmony between nature and literary expression.
Technique & Style
Executed in ink and color on silk, the painting employs the Tosa school’s delicate brushwork and precise line quality. The gold background, applied as a thin leaf pigment, creates a luminous field that enhances the subtle shading of leaves and blossoms. The rendering of rocks and grass uses a restrained, almost calligraphic approach, emphasizing elegance over realism.
History & Provenance
The scroll dates to the early Edo period, a time when courtly painters like Mitsuoki were revitalizing classical Japanese aesthetics. It entered the Art Institute of Chicago’s holdings through a mid‑20th‑century acquisition, reflecting the museum’s effort to broaden its representation of East Asian decorative arts.
Artist & collection
