Artwork
Cherry and Maple Trees
Cherry and Maple Trees is an unspecified painting by the Nihonga artist Sakai Hōitsu. It dates from 1821 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1821 by the Japanese painter Sakai Hōitsu, this hanging scroll depicts a solitary tree in full blossom. The work is part of the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, where it is displayed as an example of early‑nineteenth‑century Rinpa painting.
Subject & Meaning
The central motif is a single tree bearing white flowers and drooping branches, set against an unadorned gold field. Beneath the trunk a modest green hill supports a few low plants and a pair of birds, suggesting a tranquil, seasonal scene that emphasizes the fleeting beauty of spring.
Technique & Style
Hōitsu employs the characteristic Rinpa approach of flat, decorative surfaces and bold outlines. The gold background, applied with mineral pigments, heightens the contrast of the delicate pink‑white blossoms and deep green foliage. A thin, colored border of blue and green frames the composition, echoing the decorative motifs typical of the school.
History & Provenance
The painting has remained in private and institutional hands since its creation, eventually entering the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Asian art holdings. Its provenance reflects the 19th‑century Japanese tradition of producing portable screen paintings for both domestic and ceremonial use.
Artist & collection
