Plum Trees [right of a pair of Plum Trees and Hollyhocks] c. 18th century

This is "Plum Trees," a section of a screen by Ogata Kenzan, made with ink and color on gold leaf. The dominant visual experience comes from the contrast between the metallic gold background and the delicate, linear branches of the plum trees. Kenzan uses asymmetrical composition to guide the viewer's eye, starting from the left with sparse branches, and moving towards the right, where a fuller tree anchors the composition. The subtle gradations in the gold leaf create a sense of depth, while the carefully placed blossoms add touches of color that soften the metallic surface. This interplay between flatness and depth, line and color, echoes traditional Japanese aesthetics, which emphasizes harmony and balance. The screen's function is not only decorative but also philosophical. The plum blossoms, symbols of resilience and renewal, stand out against the opulence of the gold, creating a tension between natural simplicity and constructed artifice. The linear arrangement of the plum branches and the calculated distribution of the flowers work in tandem to destabilize fixed notions of beauty, engaging us in a dynamic process of interpretation and reinterpretation.