Deutzia Crenata 1791 - 1871

Ōtagaki Rengetsu, a prominent female Japanese artist, created this ink painting, "Deutzia Crenata," sometime between 1791 and 1871. The work showcases Rengetsu's expertise in capturing the delicate beauty of nature through a minimal and expressive style. The use of black ink against a subtle pale background emphasizes the slender branches and delicate blooms of the deutzia plant, a popular subject in Japanese art. This elegant piece, currently housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, offers a glimpse into Rengetsu's artistic vision and her mastery of the Japanese ink painting tradition.