Untitled

Sō Shizan

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

The profusion of flowers hanging from a kaido tree, ebulliently filling the frame, suggests fecundity. The auspicious and opulent qualities of this painting are enhanced by such exotic motifs as the basket, the finely crafted table, and the delicate glass fishbowl. The meticulous details and realistic coloring are in line with the decorative realism taught by Sō Shizan’s father, Sō Shiseki, who trained with the Chinese painter Song Ziyuan. His style is also influenced by the work of Shen Nanpin.

Artist

Sō Shizan

Date

18th century

Medium

Hanging scroll; ink and color on silk

Culture

Japan

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

The Harry G. C. Packard Collection of Asian Art, Gift of Harry G. C. Packard, and Purchase, Fletcher, Rogers, Harris Brisbane Dick, and Louis V. Bell Funds, Joseph Pulitzer Bequest, and The Annenberg Fund Inc. Gift, 1975