Who painted 見立琴碁書画屏風|Parody of the Four Accomplishments?

見立琴碁書画屏風|Parody of the Four Accomplishments was painted by Shibata Zeshin in 1874.

Where can I see 見立琴碁書画屏風|Parody of the Four Accomplishments?

見立琴碁書画屏風|Parody of the Four Accomplishments is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is 見立琴碁書画屏風|Parody of the Four Accomplishments?

見立琴碁書画屏風|Parody of the Four Accomplishments is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

見立琴碁書画屏風|Parody of the Four Accomplishments

Shibata Zeshin , 1874

見立琴碁書画屏風|Parody of the Four Accomplishments is an ink painting by the Impressionist artist Shibata Zeshin. It dates from 1874 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1874 by the Japanese artist Shibata Zeshin, this work consists of two six‑panel folding screens painted with ink and color on gold‑leafed paper. The pair, titled "Parody of the Four Accomplishments," is part of the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Subject & Meaning

The screens present two domestic scenes set against a luminous gold ground. On the left a solitary man is seated beside a screen displaying monochrome bird‑and‑tree motifs, suggesting contemplation of traditional scholarly pursuits. On the right, a group of women in vivid kimonos gather around a low table, engaged in conversation and leisurely games, offering a lighthearted counterpoint.

Technique & Style

Zeshin employs a restrained line work for the inked elements while applying bold, saturated pigments to the figures’ garments. The gold leaf background unifies the composition, allowing the bright colors of the women's attire to stand out sharply, a visual strategy that elevates ordinary moments into a stylized tableau.

History & Provenance

The screens were produced during the Meiji period, a time when Japanese artists often blended classical themes with contemporary life. After changing hands several times, they entered the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection, where they remain on view as an example of late‑nineteenth‑century Japanese screen painting.