Zangvogel tussen herfstgrassen 1893 - 1894

"Zangvogel tussen herfstgrassen" (Singing Bird among Autumn Grasses), a 1893-1894 work by Kōno Bairei, depicts a delicate bird perched amidst autumn foliage. The painting, now in the Rijksmuseum, showcases Bairei's mastery of the *kanga* (bird-and-flower) genre. This genre was popular in Japan, where nature was admired for its beauty and spiritual significance. Bairei's meticulous attention to detail and the use of soft, subtle colors convey a sense of tranquility, capturing the essence of autumn's quiet beauty and the bird's peaceful presence.