Birds and Flowers of Autumn and Winter 1700 - 1733

Editor: This screen, “Birds and Flowers of Autumn and Winter” by Kano Chikanobu, dating back to the early 18th century, strikes me as incredibly peaceful. There’s a stillness despite the vibrant imagery of birds and flowers. What captures your attention when you look at this piece? Curator: Well, it whispers tales of the passing seasons, doesn't it? I’m particularly drawn to how Chikanobu uses those rounded cartouches, almost like dreamy windows, each holding a little moment in time. Notice how the gold leaf breathes life into everything, turning it almost otherworldly. Ever feel like these screens are less about strict representation and more about evoking a feeling? Editor: Definitely, it's the feeling that’s so captivating. But is it unusual to depict both Autumn and Winter together like this? Curator: Not entirely. Think of it as a meditation on time. The fleeting beauty of autumn blooms right next to the stark, quiet resilience of winter. There’s a melancholic beauty in that juxtaposition. I think about how impermanence touches every living thing, ourselves included. Does it change your perspective on it at all? Editor: It does! It’s less of a simple landscape and more of a commentary on life itself, which is, you know, a bit much to take in. Curator: Isn't that the joy of art? These objects that encapsulate small pieces of ourselves? Makes you wonder about the person who first gazed upon this screen, doesn't it? Editor: Absolutely. It's amazing to think about those connections across time. Curator: And that, my friend, is what keeps me utterly fascinated. It’s art reminding us we're not alone in feeling all the things, across centuries.