Plum Tree [right of a pair of Plum Trees] c. late 17th century

This six-panel screen depicts a plum tree painted with ink and color on gold-leafed paper. The composition is dominated by the textured gold background that shimmers with reflected light, creating an ethereal setting for the stark black branches of the plum tree. The artist, Hasegawa Tōtetsu, masterfully uses line and form to direct the viewer's eye. The branches reach across the panels, their delicate white blossoms contrasting with the roughness of the gnarled trunk. The scale is intriguing; the tree seems to emerge from a closer vantage point, while a stylized moon floats ambiguously in the distance. The use of negative space is as important as the painted elements. The emptiness surrounding the tree and moon creates a sense of tranquility, and invites contemplation. The composition doesn't adhere to traditional perspective, allowing the artwork to exist in a space that feels both real and dreamlike. This tension between representation and abstraction challenges us to look beyond the surface and find deeper meaning in the interplay of form, color, and space.