Artwork
尾形光琳筆 松竹に鶴図屏風|Cranes, Pines, and Bamboo

尾形光琳筆 松竹に鶴図屏風|Cranes, Pines, and Bamboo is an ink painting by the Baroque artist Ogata Kōrin. It dates from 1708 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Cranes, Pines, and Bamboo is a pair of folding screens created in 1708 by Ogata Kōrin, a prominent artist of the Rinpa School. Executed in ink and color on paper, the work combines naturalistic elements with stylized composition.
Subject & Meaning
The screens depict a serene landscape featuring two cranes amidst pines, bamboo, and scattered red flowers against a soft, cloudy sky. The contrast between the birds' contrasting postures (one calm, one alert) and the harmonious balance of nature and design elements characterize the scene.
Technique & Style
Kōrin employed bold colors and simple, expressive shapes to emphasize the strength and balance of the depicted elements, reflecting the Rinpa School's aesthetic. The use of dark green for the pines and bamboo against a light background adds depth to the composition.
History & Provenance
Created in 1708, the piece is now part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection. While Kōrin was versatile, working in lacquerware and textiles (often with his brother Kenzan), this work highlights his contribution to landscape illustration within the ukiyo-e genre.
Context
As a Rinpa School artist, Kōrin's work was influenced by the school's emphasis on traditional Japanese themes and motifs, combined with innovative composition and color use. This piece exemplifies the school's blend of natural beauty with artistic design.
Legacy
Through works like *Cranes, Pines, and Bamboo*, Ogata Kōrin contributed to the evolution of Japanese landscape painting, demonstrating the enduring appeal of blending natural imagery with refined aesthetic design principles.
Artist & collection
Artist
Ogata Kōrin (Japanese: 尾形光琳; 1658 – June 2, 1716) was a Japanese landscape illustrator, lacquerer, painter, and textile designer of the Rinpa School.



















