Fishes 1890 - 1892

"Fishes" is a hanging scroll by the Japanese artist Seki Shūkō, dated between 1890 and 1892. The painting depicts four different kinds of fish rendered in delicate shades of gray against a pale background that evokes the water's surface. This minimalist approach, characteristic of the *Nanga* school of Japanese painting, emphasizes the beauty and naturalism of the subject matter, while the subtle brushstrokes and masterful use of negative space create a sense of tranquility and quiet observation. The scroll is currently in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.