柳橋水車図屏風|Willows and Bridge
1608
ink
From the collection of Metropolitan Museum of Art
This painting shows two tall folding screens filled with dark trees, a winding river, and a small bridge. The background is mostly black and gold, with patches of light brown and green. The trees have twisted branches, and the river looks calm under a pale sky. The screens use gold leaf to make the scene glow, especially on the bridge and water. This was a fancy way to show wealth and beauty in old Japanese art. Next, look up gold leaf to see how artists used it in paintings like this.
