蟹図［表］ 牡丹図［裏］大衝立|Crabs and Peonies
mid-18th century, before 1766
Medium
Double-sided freestanding screen (tsuitate); ink and gold on paper
Dimensions
Image (each): 51 3/4 × 55 1/8 in. (131.5 × 140 cm) Overall with frame and feet: H. 58 in. (147.3 cm); W. 62 in. (157.5 cm); D. 12 5/8 in. (32.1 cm)
Classification
Paintings
Culture & Period
Japan · Edo period (1615–1868)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Purchase, The Vincent Astor Foundation Gift, 2022
Accession Number
2022.166a–c
Tags
Art Historical Context
Behold the mesmerizing *Crabs and Peonies (蟹図［表牡丹図［裏］大衝), a double-sided freestanding screen (tsuit) by the visionary Japanese artist Itō Jakuchū, created in the mid-18th century before 1766 during the Edo period (161–1868). Jakuchū, a Kyoto-based painter known for his bold, imaginative portrayals of nature, crafted this masterpiece in ink and gold on paper, showcasing his mastery of dynamic composition and lifelike detail. Measuring an impressive 51 3/4 × 55 1/8 inches per side, the screen's grandeur made it a coveted room divider for elite homes, blending artistry with functionality. One si...
About the Artist
Itō Jakuchū 伊藤若冲 (Japanese) · 1716 –1800
Japanese, 1716–1800