Artwork
秋夜長物語絵巻|A Long Tale for an Autumn Night (Aki no yo nagamonogatari)
秋夜長物語絵巻|A Long Tale for an Autumn Night (Aki no yo nagamonogatari) is an ink painting. It dates from 1400 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This painting, titled A Long Tale for an Autumn Night (Aki no yo nagamonogatari), is the third handscroll in a series of three.
About this work
Overview
This painting, titled A Long Tale for an Autumn Night (Aki no yo nagamonogatari), is the third handscroll in a series of three.
This painting, titled A Long Tale for an Autumn Night (Aki no yo nagamonogatari), is the third handscroll in a series of three. Created with ink, color, and gold on paper, it forms part of a larger narrative sequence. The artwork depicts various figures within a natural setting, characteristic of Japanese landscape painting. Its primary function was to illustrate a story, though the complete text or context of this tale is no longer fully understood.
Subject & Meaning
The handscroll presents a scene populated by men situated within a distinct Japanese landscape. Elements such as trees and rolling hills define the environment, providing a backdrop for the human figures. While the individual scenes contribute to a broader narrative, the full extent of the story conveyed by this three-scroll set remains unknown. This ambiguity invites viewers to contemplate the fragmented nature of historical storytelling.
Technique & Style
The artist employed a combination of ink, vibrant colors, and gold pigments on paper to render the intricate details of the scene. This choice of medium allowed for both delicate line work and rich tonal variations, enhancing the depiction of the landscape and its inhabitants. The use of gold likely added a luminous quality, typical of luxury handscrolls, contributing to the overall aesthetic impact of the artwork. The creator of this work is not identified.
Artist & collection
