A Grape Vine c. 19th century

"A Grape Vine" is a 19th-century hanging scroll painting by the Japanese artist Aiseki (1800–1849). The work, currently housed in the Minneapolis Institute of Art, depicts a vine with delicate leaves and grapes rendered in black ink on a light background. Aiseki's flowing lines capture the graceful movement of the vine and convey a sense of delicate beauty. This piece is a fine example of the *bunjing­a* (literati painting) style, popular in 19th-century Japan. *Bunjing­a* paintings typically feature nature subjects in a simple, elegant manner and often reflect the artist's personal philosophy and aesthetic ideals.