Who painted Painting Four from Album of Paintings by Haizan?

Painting Four from Album of Paintings by Haizan was painted by Yoshitsugu Haizan in 1892.

Where can I see Painting Four from Album of Paintings by Haizan?

Painting Four from Album of Paintings by Haizan is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Painting Four from Album of Paintings by Haizan?

Painting Four from Album of Paintings by Haizan is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Painting Four from Album of Paintings by Haizan

Yoshitsugu Haizan , 1892

Painting Four from Album of Paintings by Haizan is an unspecified painting by the Impressionist artist Yoshitsugu Haizan. It dates from 1892 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1892 by Yoshitsugu Haizan, this work is catalogued as the fourth piece in his Album of Paintings. It is part of the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is displayed as an example of late‑19th‑century Japanese genre painting.

Subject & Meaning

The composition depicts a tranquil riverside scene: a modest dwelling rests beside a flowing stream, flanked by tall trees whose drooping branches frame the water. In the background, a mist‑shrouded mountain rises, while delicate pink blossoms punctuate the riverbank, suggesting a moment of quiet seasonal transition.

Technique & Style

Haizan employs a loose, gestural brushwork that resembles ink splashes, allowing forms to emerge from swift strokes. Large areas of untouched paper create negative space, inviting viewers to mentally complete the landscape. This approach reflects the aesthetic sensibilities of the Meiji to early Taishō periods, when Japanese artists blended traditional techniques with modern expressiveness.

History & Provenance

The painting entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition in the early 20th century, though precise details of its previous owners remain undocumented. Its inclusion in the museum’s Japanese collection underscores the institution’s early interest in Meiji‑era works that illustrate everyday life.

Context

During the Meiji era, Japanese artists increasingly produced genre scenes that captured ordinary settings, aligning with broader cultural shifts toward modernization and domesticity. Haizan’s work exemplifies this trend, offering a visual record of rural architecture and natural scenery at a time when Japan was negotiating tradition and change.