Crows in an Old Tree c. 18th century

ink-on-paper, hanging-scroll

toned paper

japan

tea stained

ink-on-paper

hanging-scroll

tile art

coffee painting

warm toned

warm-toned

earthenware

botanical art

watercolor

warm toned green

"Crows in an Old Tree" is a hanging scroll by Yosa Buson, a prominent figure in the Japanese art movement known as Nanga, a revival of traditional Chinese painting styles. The work, dating back to the 18th century, portrays crows perched and flying around a gnarled, leafless tree, rendered in subtle shades of gray and black against a light background. The minimalist composition emphasizes the natural elements, highlighting Buson's keen observation of the fleeting moments in nature. The scroll embodies the elegant simplicity characteristic of Buson's work, conveying a sense of tranquility and the passage of time.

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minneapolisinstituteofart about 1 year ago

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Seven raucous crows flit in and around an old tree at dusk, a scene all too common in autumn and winter. In Japanese poetry and painting, crows have long served as signs of the arrival of winter (the autumn season is suggested in this painting by the pink highlights on the tree’s leaves), and, by extension, death. One old folk belief is that a crow’s call may signal the death of someone nearby. Another says that a crow’s call at night is an omen of a fire. This can make them a somewhat gloomy motif, as in the famous haiku by Matsuo Bashō (1644–1694), who, like Yosa Buson himself, was a widely celebrated poet: “Crows resting / on a withered branch— / evening in autumn.” Here, though, Buson’s loose, energetic brushwork lends the scene a sense of liveliness.