Herons in the Snow

Nakabayashi Chikutō

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The characteristic decorative quality of Chikutō's painting is amply evident here in the rhythmic arrangement of the herons, boldly framed by their snowy perch. The stark black-and-white contrasts and the repetitive patterns of horizontal washes that define the white forms of the birds and branches further contribute to an effect of graphic elegance. Chikutō, born a doctor's son in Nagoya, moved in 1815 to Kyoto, where he joined the circle of the nanga artist Rai Sanyō (1780–1832).

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