Artwork
Summer Night; Winter Day
Summer Night; Winter Day is an unspecified painting by the Ukiyo-e artist Maruyama Ōkyo 円山応挙. It dates from 1792 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1792 by the Japanese painter Maruyama Ōkyo, *Summer Night; Winter Day* is a diptych that juxtaposes two contrasting landscapes. The work is part of the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is displayed as an example of Edo‑period experimentation with atmospheric effects.
Subject & Meaning
The left panel depicts a nocturnal scene illuminated by a waning moon, with mist‑shrouded hills and a still river that convey a sense of quiet mystery. The right panel shifts to daylight, showing a modest pond bordered by trees under a pale sky, suggesting a tranquil, awakened morning.
Technique & Style
Ōkyo employs delicate brushwork and subtle gradations of ink to render the differing light conditions. The contrast between the soft, muted tones of the night and the clearer, brighter palette of the day reflects his interest in realistic observation combined with a poetic rendering of nature.
History & Provenance
Since its completion in the late 18th century, the painting has remained in private hands before entering the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings. The museum acquired the piece as part of its effort to represent Japanese art from the Edo period, and it now serves as a reference point for scholars studying Maruyama’s oeuvre.
Artist & collection
