Preparing Tea by a Mountain Gorge 18th - 19th century

Aoki Mokubei painted *Preparing Tea by a Mountain Gorge* using ink and color on paper. The fan’s delicate paper surface has a subtle texture. The artist used ink in varying concentrations, from light washes to bold, dark strokes, to define the forms of the trees and mountains. This requires a deep understanding of the materials, and the artist is manipulating how the ink interacts with the absorbent paper. The fan form itself is significant. Its light, portable nature speaks to a culture of leisure, while the scene depicted, of preparing tea in a natural setting, evokes a sense of refined simplicity. The act of painting on a fan requires considerable skill, as the curved surface presents a unique challenge. Mokubei's masterful brushwork, combined with the delicate and considered use of color, elevates this functional object to a work of art. Paying attention to the materials, the making, and the cultural context allows us to appreciate the full meaning of this beautiful artwork, and to question the boundaries between fine art and craft.