Flowers and Goldfish

Sō Shizan

An item at Metropolitan Museum of 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.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35,000 objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B.C. to the twenty-first century—is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world. Each of the many civilizations of Asia is represented by outstanding works, providing an unrivaled experience of the artistic traditions of nearly half the world.

Metropolitan Museum of Art