Fans and Flowers 1868 - 1912

"Fans and Flowers" is a two-panel folding screen by renowned Japanese artist Shibata Zeshin, dating from 1868 to 1912. This meticulously crafted screen, now housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, showcases Zeshin's mastery of traditional Japanese painting techniques. The artwork depicts a pair of open fans, one blue and white, the other red, against a backdrop of delicate floral motifs and a subtle background wash. Zeshin's refined brushwork and masterful use of color create a visually captivating and serene composition, characteristic of his later period. The screen exemplifies the elegance and sophistication of Japanese art in the late 19th century.