Magpies in a Fruit Tree c. mid 18th century

hanging-scroll, ink

portrait

asian-art

landscape

ukiyo-e

japan

figuration

hanging-scroll

ink

line

"Magpies in a Fruit Tree" is a hanging scroll painting by the Japanese artist Yūhi, created sometime in the mid-18th century. The painting, now in the Minneapolis Institute of Art, depicts two magpies perched on a branch laden with fruit. Yūhi, known for his meticulous attention to detail, renders the birds and fruit with remarkable realism, showcasing his mastery of ink and color. The painting's delicate brushstrokes and harmonious composition create a sense of tranquility and beauty, highlighting the natural world's elegance. The work exemplifies the "kachō-ga" (bird-and-flower) genre, a popular theme in Japanese art that celebrated the beauty of nature.

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minneapolisinstituteofart about 1 year ago

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Two magpies are squabbling on a branch of a fruit tree, probably a species of pomegranate. Yūhi emulated the style of Shen Quan, a Chinese academic painter who specialized in bird-and-flower subjects and who visited Nagasaki, Japan, from 1731 to 1733. This style combined traditional decorative compositions with elements of Western realism, including chiaroscuro, the contrast of light and dark in visual art. Yūhi championed Shen’s style in Japan and became the earliest proponent of the Nagasaki school, which specialized in such bird-and-flower paintings.