Artwork
Carp and Waterweeds
Carp and Waterweeds is an unspecified painting by the Song dynasty landscape artist Yōgetsu. It dates from 1492 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a single carp swimming among tangled waterweeds, a motif rooted in East Asian visual tradition where the fish symbolizes perseverance and good fortune. The tangled aquatic plants emphasize abundance and the natural environment's lushness, reinforcing themes of prosperity and the harmonious relationship between humanity and nature. Executed in 1492 by the Japanese artist Yōgetsu, the work reflects the Muromachi period's interest in detailed naturalistic representation and the spiritual resonance of everyday subjects.
History & Provenance
Carp and Waterweeds, a painting created by Yōgetsu in 1492, is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
The painting titled Carp and Waterweeds was created by the artist Yōgetsu in 1492. Originating in Japan, this work is classified as a painting depicting fish. It is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
The available records confirm the creation date and the artist's identity but do not provide specific details regarding the original commission, the initial ownership, or the subsequent chain of custody leading to its current location.
Carp and Waterweeds, a painting created by Yōgetsu in 1492, is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The work, which depicts fish and was made in Japan, remains associated with this institution as its current location. No specific inventory number or detailed exhibition history for the painting is provided in the available records.
Overview
Created in 1492 by the Japanese artist Yōgetsu, this small-scale painting presents a tranquil aquatic scene. Two carp glide through a muted watery environment, their bodies rendered in earthy brown tones. Surrounding flora and modest rock formations frame the fish, offering a balanced composition that emphasizes calm movement within a natural setting. The work is part of the collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Technique & Style
Yōgetsu employs a restrained brushwork that captures the texture of scales and the delicate flow of fins with minimal strokes. The flora and rocks are suggested through light ink washes, creating a sense of depth without elaborate detail. This economy of line reflects the aesthetic values of the period, where suggestion and negative space convey atmosphere as effectively as precise rendering.
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