Monkeys on Rocks and Trees 17th century

"Monkeys on Rocks and Trees" is a pair of six-panel screens painted in ink on paper by the renowned Japanese artist Sesson Shūkei (1504-1589). The screens, currently housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, depict a serene landscape with monkeys perched on rocks and trees, rendered with delicate brushstrokes and subtle shading. This work showcases Sesson’s mastery of the "haboku" style, a technique characterized by free-flowing ink washes that create a sense of spontaneity and movement. The monkeys’ playful expressions and the atmospheric depiction of nature add to the screens’ overall sense of tranquility and charm.