Artwork

『鳥合』桜草に雲雀|Skylarks and Primroses,” from the Series An Array of Birds (Tori awase), from Spring Rain Surimono Album (Harusame surimono-jō, vol. 3)

『鳥合』桜草に雲雀|Skylarks and Primroses,” from the Series An Array of Birds (Tori awase), from Spring Rain Surimono Album (Harusame surimono-jō, vol. 3) is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Kubo Shunman. It dates from 1808 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

This woodblock print, 'Skylarks and Primroses,' is part of Kubo Shunman's series 'An Array of Birds' within the 'Spring Rain Surimono Album' (vol. 3), dated circa 1808. Now in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, it exemplifies the surimono genre of privately published prints.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts two skylarks on a branch alongside vibrant orange primroses with green centers, set against a minimalist background. The composition emphasizes the natural beauty of the birds and flowers, potentially alluding to the fleeting nature of spring.

Technique & Style

Characterized by simple, expressive lines and flat, yet nuanced, coloration, the print achieves a balance between realism (in the birds' depiction) and a softer, more ethereal quality (in the flowers). The use of negative space enhances the central subjects.

History & Provenance

Created around 1808 by Kubo Shunman, this surimono print was later acquired by The Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is currently housed.

Context

As a surimono, this print was part of a private, often poetic or literary, publishing tradition in early 19th-century Japan, contrasting with more commercially oriented ukiyo-e prints. The inclusion of Japanese writing suggests a narrative or poetic element.

Legacy

While specific influence of 'Skylarks and Primroses' on later art is not broadly documented, it contributes to the broader appreciation of surimono's unique aesthetic and Kubo Shunman's contribution to Japanese woodblock printing traditions.