Old Plum 1646

"Old Plum" is a four-panel screen painting by Kano Sansetsu, a prominent Japanese artist of the Kano school, completed in 1646. The screen depicts a gnarled plum tree with delicate blossoms against a gold-leaf background, creating a striking contrast of colors and textures. This work exemplifies the Kano school’s mastery of ink and color techniques, capturing the beauty and resilience of nature. The screen, now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, is a testament to Sansetsu’s skill and the enduring legacy of Japanese art.