Owl on a Pine Branch

Owl on a Pine Branch

Soga Nichokuan

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

A solitary owl, alert and eyes wide open, is perched on the bough of an aged pine. Behind it a full moon, rendered in reserve, signals that the setting is evening. The owl, with its head turned slightly, stares directly at the viewer, creating an effect that is at once startling and humorous. Painted entirely in ink, the texture of feathers is effectively conveyed through layered brushwork in various tones.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

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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.