Artwork
Cherry, Plum and Willow Trees
Cherry, Plum and Willow Trees is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1616 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The work presents a composition of three distinct trees—cherry, plum and willow—set against a uniform gold background.
About this work
Overview
The work presents a composition of three distinct trees—cherry, plum and willow—set against a uniform gold background. Each tree is rendered with skeletal branches that bear either buds or blossoms in shades of white, pink, and occasional green, brown or gray foliage. The arrangement emphasizes the contrast between the luminous blossoms and the muted, flat field behind them.
Subject & Meaning
The painting juxtaposes the seasonal symbolism of the three species: cherry blossoms for fleeting beauty, plum blossoms for resilience in early spring, and willows for flexibility and endurance. By isolating these trees on a gold plane, the artist invites contemplation of their individual characteristics while suggesting a harmonious connection among them within a shared natural cycle.
Technique & Style
The restrained use of color and flat background reflect a decorative aesthetic reminiscent of traditional East Asian screen painting.
Executed with a panel-like edge that suggests a foldable format, the piece employs a limited palette and simplified forms. The branches are delineated with thin, linear strokes, while the blossoms are rendered in soft washes of white and pink that stand out sharply against the golden field. The restrained use of color and flat background reflect a decorative aesthetic reminiscent of traditional East Asian screen painting.
History & Provenance
The painting’s title, "Cherry, Plum and Willow Trees," identifies its subject matter directly, yet no specific date or artist is recorded in the provided information. Its panel construction and gold ground indicate a possible origin in a decorative or ceremonial context, though further archival research would be required to trace its ownership history.
Artist & collection
