Dimensions: 19 1/4 × 12 3/4 in. (48.9 × 32.39 cm) (image)53 1/2 × 17 1/4 in. (135.89 × 43.82 cm) (without roller)
Copyright: Public Domain
"Birds and Chrysanthemums in Snow" was painted on silk by Geiai, who lived between 1534 and 1566. At first glance, this painting depicts a serene winter scene, yet it’s also a window into the socio-cultural environment of 16th-century Japan, marked by political upheaval and evolving artistic expressions. Geiai was active during the Muromachi period, a time when artistic patronage was shifting from the imperial court to the samurai class. The choice of birds and chrysanthemums, traditional symbols of longevity and perseverance, may reflect a longing for stability amid constant conflict. The delicate brushwork and subdued color palette evoke a sense of quiet resilience, resonating with the Zen Buddhism that influenced many artists of the time. Consider the emotional weight of this piece: in rendering a winter landscape, Geiai invites us to contemplate the cycles of life. The ability to find beauty and meaning in moments of hardship is a powerful statement that speaks to the complexities of identity and existence. The painting provides not just a visual experience, but an emotional and intellectual space for reflection.
Comments
A pair of small birds have alighted on the branch of an old tree at the water’s edge. A dusting of snow—delicately painted using gofun, a white pigment made of ground oyster shells—has fallen on the tree and a clump of blooming chrysanthemums below. This painting was almost certainly once part of a larger set depicting birds and flowers of various seasons. The season represented here is early winter, when chrysanthemums remain in bloom even as the snow begins to fall.
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