Artwork
Landscape of the Four Seasons
Landscape of the Four Seasons is an unspecified painting by Sesson Shūkei. It dates from 1550 and is held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.
About this work
Overview
Landscape of the Four Seasons is a six-panel screen painting created by Sesson Shūkei, a Japanese Zen monk and artist, around 1550. The work is part of the Art Institute of Chicago's collection.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a landscape divided into two scenes: a mountainous landscape with a temple on the left, and a rocky coastline with a pagoda on the right. The two halves may represent different seasons or aspects of nature.
Technique & Style
Sesson Shūkei's bold and expressive brushstrokes capture the textures and forms of the natural world. The painting features a range of earthy tones, including browns, grays, and greens, and employs negative space to create a sense of calm and serenity.
History & Provenance
Sesson Shūkei, born into the Satake clan, became a monk at Shōsō-ji temple after being disinherited. He is known as a leading follower of Sesshū Tōyō's style, a influential painter of the Muromachi period.
Artist & collection
