Two Crows on a Pine Branch 1877 - 1897

"Two Crows on a Pine Branch" is a work by renowned Japanese artist Kawanabe Kyōsai, created between 1877 and 1897. This ink painting, currently housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, features two crows perched on a pine branch rendered in bold, simplified strokes, characteristic of Kyōsai's style. The crows, depicted in silhouette, are placed against a light background, emphasizing their dark forms and creating a sense of depth and atmospheric presence. This work showcases Kyōsai's mastery of capturing the essence of his subjects with a few brushstrokes, highlighting his role as a master of Japanese painting and a celebrated figure in the transition from the Edo to Meiji era.