Who painted White Poppies on Gold Ground?

White Poppies on Gold Ground was painted by Ogata Kōrin.

Where can I see White Poppies on Gold Ground?

White Poppies on Gold Ground is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Artwork

White Poppies on Gold Ground

White Poppies on Gold Ground is an unspecified painting by Ogata Kōrin. It is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

White Poppies on Gold Ground, created in 1741 by Ogata Kōrin, a prominent artist of Japan's Rinpa School, is a painting characterized by its striking contrast of delicate white poppies against a vibrant gold background.

Subject & Meaning

The subject of the painting is a composition of five tall poppy plants with simple, five-petaled white flowers and green leaves, set against a luminous gold ground. The imagery embodies the Rinpa style's emphasis on natural motifs and decorative elegance.

Technique & Style

Kōrin's mastery of gold-ground techniques is evident in the painting's use of a shiny, foil-like gold background, juxtaposed with bold, flat areas of white and green. This approach is characteristic of the Rinpa School's aesthetic, which often blends bold composition with refined decorative sensibility.

History & Provenance

Created in 1741, the painting is a product of Kōrin's prolific career, during which he collaborated across various mediums, including painting, lacquerware, and textiles, often with his brother Ogata Kenzan.

Context

Within the broader context of Japanese art, White Poppies on Gold Ground reflects the Rinpa School's revival of traditional Japanese aesthetics, emphasizing flat perspectives, bold colors, and gold leaf backgrounds, influenced by the works of Ogata Sōtatsu, a 17th-century founder of the style.

Legacy

As a work by a leading Rinpa School artist, White Poppies on Gold Ground contributes to the school's lasting impact on Japanese art, particularly in the development of decorative arts and the continued inspiration of traditional motifs in modern Japanese aesthetics.