A spoonbill and water-grass
School of Kano Tan'yu ç©éæ¢å¹½ (1602-1674)
17th century
Classification
Painting
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Charles Lang Freer
Accession Number
F1904.123
Tags
Charles Lang Freer collectionEdo period (1615 - 1868)JapanJapanese Artkakemonospoonbill
About this artwork
A few light touches of the brush represent water and marsh grasses, while a pale ink wash defines the form of the bird and contrasts with its white plumage. From his broad knowledge of Chinese and Japanese painting styles and subjects, Tanâyu developed a distinctive new aesthetic that was a unique synthesis of the two artistic traditions. Characteristics of Tanâyuâs influential style appear in this painting, particularly in the use of ink to suggest rather than to describe physical form.