Artwork
Peafowl and Phoenixes
Peafowl and Phoenixes is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1595 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. The work depicts a tranquil forest scene in which two vividly colored peafowl and two mythic, phoenix‑like birds share the space.
About this work
Technique & Style
The artwork is currently held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is cataloged under accession number 1986.
Peafowl and Phoenixes is a painting executed in 1589 by the Japanese artist Tosa Mitsuyoshi. As a work classified within the painting medium, it was created in Japan during the late sixteenth century. The artwork is currently held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is cataloged under accession number 1986.2.
While the specific materials such as ink, color, or support type are not detailed in the provided records, the piece is definitively identified as a painting originating from the Tosa school tradition of the period.
History & Provenance
Peafowl and Phoenixes is attributed to Tosa Mitsuyoshi, a Japanese painter active from 1539 to 1613. The work is dated to 1589. The painting is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is identified by the accession number 1986.2. The specific circumstances of its commission and detailed creation history remain unattested in the available sources.
Overview
The work depicts a tranquil forest scene in which two vividly colored peafowl and two mythic, phoenix‑like birds share the space. A muted golden‑yellow sky, dark clouds and green foliage form the backdrop, while the birds’ bright plumage provides a striking contrast.
Subject & Meaning
The composition pairs real avian subjects, the peafowl, with fantastical phoenixes perched on branches, suggesting a dialogue between the natural world and symbolic rebirth. The calm atmosphere and the birds’ poised stances convey a moment of quiet observation.
Artist & collection
