Old Plum 1646

Kano Sansetsu created *Old Plum* sometime in the early 17th century. It’s painted with ink, color, and gold leaf on paper. The four panels create a panoramic composition, dominated by the sinuous form of an ancient plum tree against a shimmering gold background. This use of gold creates an ethereal, otherworldly atmosphere. The plum tree, its gnarled branches reaching across the panels, serves as more than a mere representation of nature. Its twisting form becomes a study in contrasts, with dark, textured bark set against delicate blossoms. This contrast between strength and fragility, permanence and ephemerality, is echoed in the broader structure of the artwork. The composition, while seemingly natural, is carefully arranged to guide the viewer's eye. Ultimately, the formal qualities of *Old Plum* invite us to contemplate themes of time, resilience, and the cyclical nature of life. Through the careful arrangement of line, color, and form, Sansetsu offers a window into a world where art and philosophy intertwine. The work functions not just as an aesthetic object, but as a site of ongoing contemplation and renewal.