Bird Among the Flowers c. mid 19th century

"Bird Among the Flowers" is a classic example of *kacho-e*, the Japanese art of painting birds and flowers. Created by Aone Kyūkō, a prominent artist of the mid-19th century, the painting depicts a sparrow perched on a delicate branch of flowering cherry blossoms. Kyūkō's masterful use of brushstrokes captures the delicate beauty of the natural world with precise detail, conveying the vibrant colors of the blossoms against a soft, muted background. This small, yet exquisitely crafted painting, exemplifies the aesthetic principles of *kacho-e*, a genre that has captivated Japanese art enthusiasts for centuries.