Plovers under the Moon c. late 19th century

Morikawa Sobun’s *Plovers under the Moon*, a late 19th-century painting from the Minneapolis Institute of Art, showcases the artist’s mastery of capturing the tranquility of nature. The delicate brushstrokes create a serene atmosphere, highlighting the graceful flight of plovers against the backdrop of a luminous moon and skeletal branches. The use of pale washes and subtle color variations emphasizes the soft light of the moon illuminating the scene, creating a sense of calm and harmony. This work is a quintessential example of Japanese *ukiyo-e* (pictures of the floating world) aesthetics, showcasing the fleeting beauty of nature and its effect on the human spirit.