Flowers and Goldfish

18th century

Not on view

The profusion of flowers hanging from a kaido tree, ebulliently filling the frame, suggests fecundity. The auspicious and opulent qualities of this painting are enhanced by such exotic motifs as the basket, the finely crafted table, and the delicate glass fishbowl. The meticulous details and realistic coloring are in line with the decorative realism taught by Sō Shizan’s father, Sō Shiseki, who trained with the Chinese painter Song Ziyuan. His style is also influenced by the work of Shen Nanpin.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

References

Title: Flowers and Goldfish
Artist: Sō Shizan (Japanese, 1733–1805)
Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
Date: 18th century
Culture: Japan
Medium: Hanging scroll; ink and color on silk
Dimensions: Image: 36 1/4 × 13 5/8 in. (92.1 × 34.6 cm)
Overall with mounting: 65 1/2 × 19 3/4 in. (166.4 × 50.2 cm)
Overall with knobs: 65 1/2 × 22 1/2 in. (166.4 × 57.2 cm)
Classification: Paintings
Credit Line: The Harry G. C. Packard Collection of Asian Art, Gift of Harry G. C. Packard, and Purchase, Fletcher, Rogers, Harris Brisbane Dick, and Louis V. Bell Funds, Joseph Pulitzer Bequest, and The Annenberg Fund Inc. Gift, 1975
Object Number: 1975.268.85
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

By Sō Shizan

In the same medium

From the same time and place

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Rooster in a Storm, Sō Shizan Japanese, Hanging scroll; ink, color, and gold on silk, Japan — Rooster in a Storm
Sō Shizan
1783

White Plum Blossoms and Moon, Itō Jakuchū Japanese, Hanging scroll; ink and color on silk, Japan — White Plum Blossoms and Moon
Itō Jakuchū
1755

Zhou Maoshu Admiring Lotuses, Kaihō Yūsetsu Japanese, Hanging scroll; ink on silk, Japan — Zhou Maoshu Admiring Lotuses
Kaihō Yūsetsu
mid-17th century

Jizō Bosatsu Playing a Flute, Kano Tan'yū Japanese, Hanging scroll; ink and color on paper, Japan — Jizō Bosatsu Playing a Flute
Kano Tan'yū
mid-17th century

Beauty of the Kanbun Era, Hanging scroll; ink, color, and gold on paper, Japan — Beauty of the Kanbun Era
Japan
late 17th century

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