Cormorant Fishing 1761 - 1828

"Cormorant Fishing" is a hanging scroll painting by the renowned Japanese artist Sakai Hōitsu. The artwork, completed between 1761 and 1828, showcases a single cormorant perched on a branch, with a basket and a clump of reeds in the background. Hōitsu was a master of the Rimpa style, known for its vibrant colors and elegant decorative motifs. The subtle brushstrokes and delicate rendering of the bird, along with the minimalist composition, evoke a sense of tranquility and the beauty of nature. The scroll's design, characterized by soft tones and graceful lines, exemplifies the aesthetic ideals of the Edo period. Now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, "Cormorant Fishing" offers a glimpse into the artistic excellence of the Rimpa school and the artistry of Sakai Hōitsu.