An artwork on Galleree from Cleveland Museum of Art.
About the artwork
Birds and Flowerslate 1500s
Kano Mitsunobu
The landscape depicted in this pair of screens follows a seasonal progression from right to left, starting with the blossoming plum of early spring and ending with late autumn peonies. A variety of smaller birds are positioned throughout the scene, and a trio of swimming ducks is bracketed by early summer irises and early autumn bellflowers at the center. While some raptors (birds of prey) terrorize a pheasant and an egret (a waterfowl) to the right, a peacock and peahen converse to the left. Hawks are associated with military prowess, while the peafowl suggest cultural prestige.
The inscriptions on these screens are not signatures of the artist, but instead an attribution to the painter Kano Eitoku (1543–1590) by his youngest brother, Kano Naganobu (1577–1654).
Pair of six-panel folding screens; ink, color, and gold on paper
Image: 155.5 x 340 cm (61 1/4 x 133 7/8 in.)
Gift of William G. Mather
In a serene world nestled in the folds of time, there unfolds a magnificent landscape across a pair of delicate screens. The journey begins on the right, where the soft tendrils of early spring breathe life into a blossoming plum tree. Its flowers stretch toward the sun, petals like whispers of color against the crisp morning air. The vibrancy of this season is not solitary; it is sprinkled with delicate smaller birds, flitting here and there, their wings painting the sky with joy.
As we move gently to the left, the scene transitions onward, capturing the essence of late autumn. Here, clusters of peonies bloom, their rich hues a farewell to the warmth of summer. In the heart of this evolving tale, a trio of ducks glides serenely through the still waters, flanked by the timeless beauty of irises, their stately form standing guard as early summer waltzes into life, and bellflowers, nodding softly as autumn makes its presence felt.
Yet, amidst this tranquil tableau, life asserts its wild nature. To the right, raptors descend with fierce intent, shadowing the existence of a timid pheasant and an elegant egret. Their struggle becomes a poignant reminder of the predator-prey dance that echoes through the ages. In sharp contrast, a peacock engages in a soft conversation with his peahen on the left, their majestic plumage embodying cultural prestige, a poignant assertion of beauty in a world where danger ever lurks.
Each component of this story breathes life into the passage of time, enriched by the varied seasons. From the humble plum blossoms to the regal peafowl, we are reminded that existence is a tapestry woven with both vulnerability and strength. It invites us into an introspective journey through nature's cycle, one that encourages reflection on our own lives and the stories we carry within us.
About the artist
Creating transformative experiences through art “for the benefit of all the people forever.”The Cleveland Museum of Art is renowned for the quality and breadth of its collection, which includes more than 66,500 artworks and spans 6,000 years of achievement in the arts. The artworks shared on this platform are sourced from the museum's Open Access data under the CC0 license. No endorsement is implied.Address: 11150 East Boulevard, Cleveland, OH, USA 44106
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