Bird on a Plum Tree c. 18th century

Nagasawa Rosetsu created this painting of a bird on a plum tree with ink on paper in Japan in the late 18th century. The hanging scroll format was typical for paintings displayed in the alcoves of homes or temples. Rosetsu was a member of the Maruyama School of painting, which emphasized realistic depictions of nature. However, Rosetsu's style was considered eccentric and individualistic, which aligns with a broader shift during the Edo period as artists began to challenge traditional artistic conventions and explore new forms of expression. Japanese art was also closely tied to Zen Buddhism. Rosetsu's style can be related to Zen aesthetics that valued spontaneity, simplicity, and a direct connection to nature. To understand the role of artists like Rosetsu, we can draw on historical sources such as biographies, art criticism, and social histories. This approach can shed light on the complex interplay between artistic expression, social change, and institutional structures in late 18th-century Japan.