Plum Trees [right of a pair of Plum Trees and Hollyhocks] by Ogata Kenzan 尾形乾山

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

natural stone pattern

abstract painting

water colours

japan

handmade artwork painting

tile art

fluid art

painting painterly

watercolour bleed

watercolour illustration

watercolor

Ogata Kenzan, a renowned Japanese artist, created this six-panel screen depicting a plum tree in bloom against a gold background. Dating back to the 18th century, this artwork showcases the artist's mastery in capturing the delicate beauty of nature. Known for his artistic excellence in pottery and painting, Kenzan infused this piece with traditional Japanese aesthetics, portraying the plum blossom—a symbol of resilience and early spring—with meticulous detail. The screen's dimensions, 43 5/8 × 113 5/8 in. (110.81 × 288.61 cm), highlight the grandeur of the subject matter and contribute to the overall artistic impact. This exquisite depiction of a plum tree against a golden backdrop showcases Kenzan's talent for capturing the essence of nature with grace and precision.

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minneapolisinstituteofart about 1 year ago

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Ogata Kenzan is best known as a potter, but he was also a successful painter, especially after moving from Kyoto to Edo in his late sixties. Kenzan was the younger brother of painter Ogata Kōrin, from whom the decorative Rinpa school takes its name—rin from Kōrin paired with pa, meaning “school.” On a ground of gold leaf, Kenzan presents red and white camellias blooming on a small hillock below a large plum tree at right and, at left, pink, white, and red hollyhocks. With this placement of the motifs, Kenzan turned the folded surface of the screen into a vital component of the composition.