Sparrow and Bamboo
In this narrow composition a sparrow balances on a branchlet of bamboo; the silvery tones of the primary stalk contrast with the dark ink of its leaves and joints. Sakai Hōitsu is best known for his revival of the art of Rinpa-school master Ogata Kōrin (1658–1716) and for his polychrome paintings in the Rinpa style. He was also a master of ink, however, as this lively collaborative work indicates.
Kameda Bōsai, a Confucian scholar, inscribed colophons on paintings by several important artists of his day, including Hōitsu and his younger follower Suzuki Kiitsu (1799–1858). Here, his cursive calligraphy appears just below Hōitsu’s perching sparrow. Bōsai often claimed to work while intoxicated, which may account for the hasty but animated quality of his brushwork.
Kameda Bōsai, a Confucian scholar, inscribed colophons on paintings by several important artists of his day, including Hōitsu and his younger follower Suzuki Kiitsu (1799–1858). Here, his cursive calligraphy appears just below Hōitsu’s perching sparrow. Bōsai often claimed to work while intoxicated, which may account for the hasty but animated quality of his brushwork.
Artwork Details
- 酒井抱一筆亀田鵬斎賛 竹雀図
- Title: Sparrow and Bamboo
- Artist: Sakai Hōitsu (Japanese, 1761–1828)
- Artist: Calligraphy by Kameda Bōsai (Japanese, 1752–1826)
- Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
- Date: ca. 1821
- Culture: Japan
- Medium: Hanging scroll; ink on paper
- Dimensions: Image: 44 3/8 × 14 3/4 in. (112.7 × 37.5 cm)
Overall with mounting: 68 1/4 × 14 3/4 in. (173.4 × 37.5 cm)
Overall with knobs: 16 7/8 in. (42.9 cm) - Classification: Paintings
- Credit Line: Gift of Florence and Herbert Irving, 2015
- Object Number: 2015.500.9.19
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art
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Sakai Hōitsu
18th century
Sakai Hōitsu
1761–1828
Sakai Hōitsu
Sakai Hōitsu
early 19th century
Sakai Hōitsu
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