Artwork

Snowy Landscape (Sekkei sansui zu)

Snowy Landscape (Sekkei sansui zu), unspecified, 1550
Snowy Landscape (Sekkei sansui zu), unspecified, 1550

Snowy Landscape (Sekkei sansui zu) is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1550 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

History & Provenance

The painting was included in the exhibition Zen: The Art of Enlightenment held at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art from February 19 to June 7, 2015.

Snowy Landscape (Sekkei sansui zu) is a Japanese painting dated to 1550. While some records attribute the work to the artist Toki Tōbun, other documentation lists the creator as unknown. The piece was created in Japan during the mid-sixteenth century. It is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Snowy Landscape (Sekkei sansui zu) is held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, where it is recorded under accession number 1975.268.109.

The painting was included in the exhibition Zen: The Art of Enlightenment held at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art from February 19 to June 7, 2015.

Overview

Snowy Landscape (Sekkei sansui zu) is a monochrome ink painting executed on paper that unfolds as a fan‑shaped scroll. The composition presents a winter scene of jagged mountain peaks, leafless trees and a meandering path, rendered in muted gray‑brown tones that convey a quiet, still morning atmosphere.

Subject & Meaning

The work depicts a barren, snow‑covered terrain where the starkness of the landscape emphasizes solitude and the passage of time. By focusing on the skeletal forms of trees and the undulating ground, the artist invites contemplation of nature’s quiet endurance during the cold season.

Technique & Style

Executed with swift, sketchy brushstrokes, the artist employs black ink to delineate the rugged contours of the mountains and the texture of the trees. The snow is suggested through a light, stippled application that creates a subtle, dotted surface, while the overall lack of color relies on tonal contrast to model depth, echoing traditional Japanese ink wash practices.

Context

The fan‑shaped format aligns with the Japanese tradition of portable scrolls used for both decorative and meditative purposes. The restrained palette and emphasis on line over color reflect the aesthetic values of the ink landscape genre, which prioritizes atmospheric suggestion over realistic detail.

Travellers Among Mountains
Travellers Among Mountains, Shen Zhou

Artist & collection

Frequently asked questions

Where can I see Snowy Landscape (Sekkei sansui zu)?

Snowy Landscape (Sekkei sansui zu) is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Snowy Landscape (Sekkei sansui zu)?

Snowy Landscape (Sekkei sansui zu) is associated with Song dynasty landscape.