Artwork Page for Peonies

Details / Information for Peonies

Peonies

牡丹図

mid 1700s

Tatebayashi Kagei 立林何帠

(Japanese, active mid-1700s)
Culture
Japan, Edo period (1615–1868)
Medium
hanging scroll; ink and color on paper
Measurements
Painting only: 90.9 x 36.2 cm (35 13/16 x 14 1/4 in.)
Credit Line
Worcester R. Warner Collection 1964.105
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
Print
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Did You Know?

In 1738, Kagei received a copy made by Ogata Kōrin of a fan painting by Tawaraya Sōtatsu from Kōrin's brother Ogata Kenzan, so some think he trained with Kenzan in Edo (present-day Tokyo).

Description

A proliferation of white tree peonies dominates this composition. Behind them are tall, feathery-topped susuki grasses and leafy deciduous trees. Tatebayashi Kagei restricted his palette to ink with red and white color, along with sparing use of green in the peony leaves and the blades of grass. He made generous use of the “dripping-in” (tarashikomi) technique, layering pooled ink and color, in the peony leaves. The areas left in reserve create the impression of
insect-eaten or late season foliage.
A vertical hanging scroll depicts white peonies blooming from clusters of dark foliage on the right. To the left, tall grasses with feathery plumes arc toward the center. A tree trunk rises behind the blossoms, its branches speckling the top with tan leaves. The flowers are bright against surrounding muted browns and grays. Two red seals mark the lower right corner, finishing a delicate scene rendered in ink washes and fine lines.

Peonies

mid 1700s

Tatebayashi Kagei

(Japanese, active mid-1700s)
Japan, Edo period (1615–1868)

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