Artwork
작자미상 화조도 조선|作者未詳 花鳥圖 朝鮮|Birds and Flowers

작자미상 화조도 조선|作者未詳 花鳥圖 朝鮮|Birds and Flowers is an ink painting. It dates from 1900 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This ten-panel folding screen, titled *Birds and Flowers*, is an anonymous Korean painting executed with ink and color on silk.
About this work
The screen is from the late 19th or early 20th century, which is a unique time period for this type of art.
This painting shows birds and flowers on a ten-panel folding screen.
It's made with ink and color on silk.
The artist used a lot of detail to draw the flowers and birds, which makes it interesting.
The flowers and birds are drawn in a traditional style, but we don't know much about the artist.
The screen is from the late 19th or early 20th century, which is a unique time period for this type of art.
You can learn more about this type of art at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Overview
This ten-panel folding screen, titled *Birds and Flowers*, is an anonymous Korean painting executed with ink and color on silk. It presents a detailed natural scene, characteristic of traditional Korean art. Dating from the late 19th or early 20th century, this piece reflects artistic practices during a transitional period in Korean history, offering insight into the enduring popularity of such themes.
Subject & Meaning
The screen depicts a vibrant array of birds amidst various flowering plants. In Korean art, such floral and avian motifs often carry symbolic significance, representing concepts like longevity, prosperity, and marital harmony. While the specific interpretations can vary, the overall composition typically evokes a sense of natural beauty and auspiciousness, appealing to a broad audience.
Technique & Style
Rendered with ink and color on silk, the artwork showcases a meticulous attention to detail in its portrayal of flora and fauna. The artist employed a traditional stylistic approach, evident in the delicate brushwork and the careful rendering of individual petals and feathers. This technique highlights the intricate beauty of the natural world, a common theme in East Asian painting.
History & Provenance
The creator of this *Birds and Flowers* screen remains unidentified, a common circumstance for many traditional Korean artworks. Its estimated creation period, spanning the late 19th to early 20th century, places it within a distinctive era. This timeframe marks a period of significant cultural and political change in Korea, making the survival and style of such traditional screens particularly noteworthy.
Artist & collection



