Three Crows in Flight

Shibata Zeshin Japanese

Not on view

A simple yet alluring composition by Zeshin captures a trio of crows in flight, with a sense of perspective conveyed by varying the tones of ink. The artist often took up the subject of crows, as seen also in the two-panel gold-leaf screen with three crows and two egrets. This painting is signed “Zeshin,” and has an oval seal reading “Tairyūkyo” (living facing the willows).

Three Crows in Flight, Shibata Zeshin (Japanese, 1807–1891), Hanging scroll; ink on silk, Japan

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