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Birds and Flowers
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This is one of two paintings possibly by Sesshū Tōyō. They once flanked a central scroll with an ink landscape. The unbalanced nature of the compositions, however, suggests they may be images recycled from larger paintings. The one with sweet osmanthus and hibiscus is an autumn scene, the other is a summer scene with daylilies and gardenias. Folding screens often contrast two seasons or depict all four across a single pair of screens. Sesshū’s works were sufficiently prized that repurposing them in fragmentary form to display in an alcove of a luxurious room would not be an unusual choice.
| Artist / Maker | Sesshū Tōyō |
|---|---|
| Date | mid-1400s-early 1500s |
| Culture / Origin | Japan, Muromachi period (1392–1573) |
| Medium | Hanging scroll from a triptych; ink and color on silk |
| Dimensions | Image: 55.9 x 53.4 cm (22 x 21 in.); Overall: 117 x 58 cm (46 1/16 x 22 13/16 in.) |
| Department | Japanese Art |
| Type | Painting |
About the Artist
BiographySesshū Tōyō (1420–1506) — Japanese artist (1420-1506).Sesshū Tōyō worked as Buddhist monk and painter and is associated with Japan. Their documented life spans the years 1420 to 1506, born in Bitchū Province, died in Masuda.DisciplinesBuddhist monk, painterBorn1420, Bitchū ProvinceDied1506, MasudaNationalityJapanSources: Wikidata · Wikipedia Full biography →
Provenance & Source
Image & data: Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0 / Public Domain.
Condition
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