三羽黒鳥図|Three Crows in Flight

Shibata Zeshin

19th century · Hanging scroll; ink on silk · Asian Art

A simple yet alluring composition by Zeshin captures a trio of crows in flight, with a sense of perspective conveyed by varying the tones of ink. The artist often took up the subject of crows, as seen also in the two-panel gold-leaf screen with three crows and two egrets. This painting is signed “Zeshin,” and has an oval seal reading “Tairyūkyo” (living facing the willows).

Artist

Shibata Zeshin

Date

19th century

Medium

Hanging scroll; ink on silk

Culture

Japan

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Purchase, Gifts, Bequests, and Funds from various donors, by exchange, 1951