Artwork
渓流春秋草木図屏風|Autumn Trees and Grasses by a Stream

渓流春秋草木図屏風|Autumn Trees and Grasses by a Stream is an ink painting by the Baroque artist Unknown. It dates from 1700 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The work consists of a six‑panel folding screen, created as one half of a pair.
About this work
Overview
The work consists of a six‑panel folding screen, created as one half of a pair. Executed on paper, the panels combine ink, color, gold and silver pigments to depict a series of natural motifs arranged from left to right.
Subject & Meaning
Each panel presents a distinct seasonal tableau: the leftmost scene is dominated by vivid yellow foliage covering shrubs and trees; the central panels feature a stream bordered by red blossoms and verdant vegetation; the rightmost panel shows skeletal branches with sparse brown leaves and a prominent, curved rock, suggesting a transition toward winter.
Technique & Style
The artist applied metallic gold and silver to accentuate leaves and flowers, producing a reflective surface that contrasts with the matte ink washes. The background is rendered in a loose, sketch‑like manner, resembling the texture of rough paper, which emphasizes the decorative quality of the composition.
History & Provenance
The screen is one of a matched set of six‑panel folding screens, traditionally used as interior partitions in Japanese settings. Its creation date and original ownership are not recorded in the supplied information, and it remains catalogued as a pair rather than as an isolated piece.
Context
While the description mentions Baroque drama and detail, the screen reflects a Japanese aesthetic that values seasonal change and the subtle interplay of color and material, rather than the European Baroque emphasis on theatricality.
Artist & collection














