Fish and Turtles in Water
Returned to lender
This work of art was on loan to the museum and has since been returned to its lender.The pale blue water and bright green young pines give this low tea-ceremony screen (furosaki byōbu) a cool and refreshing appearance. Turtles and small fish swim easily together as if engaged in a dance centering on the two carp. Ōkyo painted many pictures of carp and turtles, but in this case they are joined by other types of realistically depicted freshwater fish, such as freshwater minnows (oikawa) and Japanese killifish (medaka). Capturing the natural fluctuations of light, the bright area near the carp varies delicately according to the curving ripples on the water’s surface. Here, in particular, one recognizes Ōkyo’s discerning eye for nature and what may be called the essence of his method of shasei (drawing from nature). The reverse of the screen is mounted with a painting of flowing water on silk intended to show faintly through to the front when lit from behind.
Artwork Details
- Title: Fish and Turtles in Water
- Artist: Maruyama Ōkyo 円山応挙 (Japanese, 1733–1795)
- Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
- Date: ca. 1780
- Culture: Japan
- Medium: Two-panel folding screen; ink and color on silk
- Dimensions: Image (each): 23 5/16 × 35 1/4 in. (59.2 × 89.6 cm)
Overall with mounting (each): 25 1/4 × 37 3/16 in. (64.2 × 94.4 cm) - Classification: Screens
- Credit Line: Lent by Feinberg Collection
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art