Crow on a Rock
probably 19th century
Medium
Hanging scroll; ink on paper
Dimensions
Image: 28 9/16 × 16 1/16 in. (72.5 × 40.8 cm) Overall with mounting: 66 5/16 × 21 5/16 in. (168.5 × 54.2 cm) Overall with knobs: 66 5/16 × 23 1/8 in. (168.5 × 58.7 cm)
Classification
Paintings
Culture & Period
Japan · Edo period (1615–1868)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The Howard Mansfield Collection, Purchase, Rogers Fund, 1936
Accession Number
36.100.64
Rights
Public Domain
Tags
Art Historical Context
"Crow on a Rock" a captivating hanging scroll by the Japanese artist Sesson Shkei, likely created in the 19th century during Japan's Edo period (16151868). Rendered in ink on paper, this work measures about 28½ by 16 inches in its image area, designed to be unrolled and displayed vertically in a traditional tokonoma alcove. The simple yet evocative depiction of a crow perched on a rock exemplifies the minimalist aesthetic of East Asian ink painting, where bold brushstrokes capture essence over detail. In the Edo era, a time of relative peace and cultural flourishing, hanging scrolls like this served as focal points for contemplation in homes, temples, or tea ceremonies. Sesson Shūkei's use of sumi ink allowed for dynamic contrasts—wet for soft textures, dry for sharp edges—highlighting the crow's poised vigilance against the rugged stone. Birds, as tagged here, held symbolic weight in Japanese art, often representing nature's resilience or seasonal change. Part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Asian Art collection (acquired via The Howard Mansfield Collection in 1936), this piece invites viewers to appreciate the meditative power of Zen-inspired traditions, where a single subject conveys profound harmony with the natural world.
About the Artist
Sesson Shūkei · 1500–1600
ca. 1504–ca. 1589