Birds and Flowers

Description

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.

Provenance

William G. Mather [1857–1951], Cleveland, OH, given to the Cleveland Museum of Art (?–1948); The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (1948–)

Birds and Flowers

Kano Mitsunobu

late 1500s

Accession Number

1948.128

Medium

Pair of six-panel folding screens; ink, color, and gold on paper

Dimensions

Image: 155.5 x 340 cm (61 1/4 x 133 7/8 in.)

Classification

Painting

Museum

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Cleveland, United States

Credit Line

Gift of William G. Mather