Bird at the Water's Edge 1887 - 1892

"Bird at the Water's Edge" (1887-1892) by Kawabata Gyokushō is a delicate ink-and-wash painting showcasing the artist's masterful use of negative space. The simple composition features a single bird, rendered in subtle shades of gray, perched at the edge of a water body. The surrounding reeds, depicted with a few deft strokes, add a touch of movement and depth to the scene. The bird's attentive gaze and the stillness of the water evoke a sense of tranquil observation and serenity, characteristic of Japanese art. This painting, housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, embodies Gyokushō's expertise in capturing the essence of natural beauty with minimal detail, leaving the viewer to contemplate the quiet harmony of the scene.