Peony 1804 - 1835

This hand-painted folding fan, titled "Peony", was created by the Japanese artist Takahashi Sōhei between 1804 and 1835. The fan depicts a delicate and stylized peony flower in black ink, with the artist's signature and seal in the upper corner. This exquisite artwork exemplifies the artistic traditions of Japanese uchiwa fans, which were used for both decorative and practical purposes. The elegant brushwork and delicate imagery highlight the beauty and ephemerality of nature, a common theme in Japanese art. The fan is currently housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.