Birds in Willows and Blossoming Peach Tree

Yosa Buson Japanese

Edo period (1615–1868)

Not on view

Buson’s painting style translates Chinese motifs and styles into a softer, freer expression of Japanese taste. Thus, while the compositional elements here are based upon authoritative Ming and Qing prototypes, the artist executed features of the natural world with looser brushstrokes in more subdued tones. Buson gave a witty personal expression to this work, which is based on conventional Qing-dynasty painting. He juxtaposes the two birds so that the female, on the bough above, seems to peer with a critical eye at her mate below, who is self-absorbed in the joy of his own song.

Birds in Willows and Blossoming Peach Tree, Yosa Buson (Japanese, 1716–1783), Hanging scroll; ink and color on silk, Japan

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Birds in Willows and Blossoming Peach Tree, Yosa Buson (Japanese, 1716–1783), Hanging scroll; ink and color on silk, Japan
Birds in Willows and Blossoming Peach Tree, Yosa Buson (Japanese, 1716–1783), Hanging scroll; ink and color on silk, Japan

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