Family of Cranes [left of a pair], c. 1787
Nagasawa Rosetsuexpand_more
Ink and color on paperexpand_more
Mary Griggs Burke Collection, Gift of the Mary and Jackson Burke Foundationexpand_more 2015.79.161.1
Not on Viewexpand_more
Red-crowned cranes were once ubiquitous throughout the wetlands of China, Korea and Japan. Their impressive size (up to five feet tall), striking coloration, and lively "dance" made them a popular subject among artists. In East Asia mythology, they are believed to live for 1,000 years, and thus became auspicious symbols of longevity. This set of screens would have been appropriate for especially felicitous events such as birthday and New Year celebrations. Nagasawa Rosetsu, had an uncanny understanding of animals. Here, using a fairly cursory and informal brush technique, he deftly captured the sometimes ungainly and comical nature of these large birds.
Details
- Title
- Family of Cranes [left of a pair]
- Artist Life
- 1754 - 1799
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- 2015.79.161.1
- Catalogue Raisonne
- Murase, Art through a Lifetime, no. 395
- Curator Approved
This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
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