Untitled

Kuwayama Gyokushū

late 18th century · Hanging scroll; ink on silk · Asian Art

Bamboo, a symbol of enduring strength, especially in its capacity to thrive under the snow in winter, has long been a favored motif among the literati of East Asia. Kuwayama Gyokushū left areas of the paper unpainted to represent snow, while an uneven gray wash signals a dark, wintry evening. Gyokushū was an affluent shipping merchant and farmer in addition to an artist and commentator on literati painting.

Artist

Kuwayama Gyokushū

Date

late 18th century

Medium

Hanging scroll; ink on silk

Culture

Japan

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Mary Griggs Burke Collection, Gift of the Mary and Jackson Burke Foundation, 2015