Artwork

屏風尽図屏風|Screens within Screens

屏風尽図屏風|Screens within Screens, by Unknown, ink, 1750
屏風尽図屏風|Screens within Screens, by Unknown, ink, 1750

屏風尽図屏風|Screens within Screens is an ink painting by the Baroque artist Unknown. It dates from 1750 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Screens within Screens is a pair of six-panel folding screens executed in ink, color, and gold on gilt paper, presenting a multifaceted visual narrative across its panels.

Subject & Meaning

The screens depict a diverse array of scenes, including a boat on water, a bird on a branch, and a distant mountain, suggesting a thematic exploration of natural harmony and possibly the coexistence of tranquility and activity.

Technique & Style

Notable for its use of gold leaf, the work leverages this medium to enhance depth and convey luxury, with gilt accents imbuing the composition with opulence.

Context

While created in a traditional Japanese medium, the emphasis on gold and detailed ornamentation might draw parallels with the decorative intensity of the Baroque movement, though this is a stylistic observation rather than a direct influence.

Legacy

The legacy of 'Screens within Screens' lies in its preservation of traditional Japanese folding screen artistry while incorporating luxurious elements, making it a unique example of its kind.

Artist & collection

Artist

Unknown

entity whose identity is not known