unsigned; many different scenes with people sitting in small groups inside of buildings, on verandahs, or standing near trees outside; scenes separated by silver clouds: people sitting on and inside a building doing calligraphy; woman inside room looking at a river; men and women outside near trees; scholars seated near rocks; men near a carriage pulled by a black ox, etc.

Scenes from the Tale of Genji on Silver Ground [left of a pair], 18th century

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Many Japanese artists employed gold paint and gold leaf on folding screens; instead, the artist of this pair used silver leaf. Over time, silver leaf oxidizes and turns a smoky gray shade while retaining its metallic sheen. The screens present a selection of scenes from The Tale of Genji in no particular order. The upper middle of the left screen, for example, shows 12-year-old Genji at his coming-of-age ceremony. The courtier’s cap he will wear as an adult male rests on a low table before him. The scenes around him and in the right screen are from varying stages of his life.

Details
Title
Scenes from the Tale of Genji on Silver Ground [left of a pair]
Role
Artist
Accession Number
2013.29.301.1
Curator Approved

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unsigned; many different scenes with people sitting in small groups inside of buildings, on verandahs, or standing near trees outside; scenes separated by silver clouds: people sitting on and inside a building doing calligraphy; woman inside room looking at a river; men and women outside near trees; scholars seated near rocks; men near a carriage pulled by a black ox, etc.