IJsvogel op lotustak c. 1880 - 1919

"IJsvogel op lotustak" (Kingfisher on a Lotus Branch) is a hanging scroll painting by Japanese artist Suzuki Kason, dating from circa 1880-1919. The artwork, now located in the Rijksmuseum, depicts a kingfisher perched on a lotus branch, rendered in delicate ink washes on paper. The minimalist composition evokes a sense of tranquility and harmony, characteristic of traditional Japanese painting, particularly the *Suiboku-ga* (ink painting) genre. Kason's use of subtle shading and negative space creates a sense of depth and movement, drawing the viewer's eye to the kingfisher, a symbol of beauty and grace in Japanese culture.