Poem-painting “When the nightingale returns...” 1868

This poem-painting titled “When the nightingale returns...” by Ōtagaki Rengetsu (1791–1875) depicts a lone hut perched on a cliff. The work’s muted colors and delicate brushstrokes are characteristic of the artist's *suiboku-ga*, or ink-wash painting, style, which is deeply rooted in the Zen tradition. The composition evokes a sense of tranquility and solitude, inviting viewers to reflect on the natural world and the passage of time. This artwork is currently on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.