Kingfishers and Pussy-willow 19th century

"Kingfishers and Pussy-willow" is a 19th-century Japanese painting by Kubo Shunman, renowned for his meticulous depictions of birds and landscapes. This work, currently housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, captures two kingfishers in a delicate setting of willow branches. The artist's keen observation and skillful rendering of the birds' feathers and the willow's buds lend a sense of realism to the composition. The painting is an excellent example of the "kacho-ga" genre, which specializes in depicting birds and flowers in their natural habitat. This genre flourished during the Edo period (1603-1868) and was celebrated for its aesthetic beauty and intricate details.