松村呉春筆　葡萄図|Grapevine

Matsumura Goshun

after 1790 · Hanging scroll; ink on silk · Asian Art

An endearing and small work attributed to Maruyama Ōkyo’s follower Matsumura Goshun. Grapes carried various symbolic meanings that stem from the abundance of its fruit, for instance fecundity, a rich harvest or leading a long life. In poetry, it signifies autumn, hence one would expect to the scroll on display in a tokonoma decorative alcove during that season. The signature style and seal suggest that it was painted in the 1790s or later, when Goshun had shed off his literati roots and fully transitioned into a member of Ōkyo’s school

Artist

Matsumura Goshun

Date

after 1790

Medium

Hanging scroll; ink on silk

Culture

Japan

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

The Howard Mansfield Collection, Purchase, Rogers Fund, 1936