A Grape Vine c. 19th century

This hanging scroll, "A Grape Vine," was made in Japan during the first half of the 19th century, by the artist Aiseki. It's rendered in ink on paper, a seemingly simple process that is anything but. Sumi ink is made from lampblack or pine soot, mixed with animal glue and formed into solid sticks which are then ground with water on an inkstone. The artist controls the density of the ink, and thus the tonality of the image, through the grinding process. The scroll format is also deeply embedded in East Asian tradition, demanding a close integration of painting and calligraphy. It is also worth remembering that this apparently spontaneous work results from a long process of training. In approaching this artwork, we should appreciate how the most subtle of means— a brush, ink, and paper—can be used to conjure a world. That's what makes it such a compelling object, regardless of its status as "fine art."