Plum Blossoms

Matsumura Keibun 松村景文

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The blossoming of plum trees in the early spring—a symbol of resilience against winter’s oppressive cold—has long been a favorite subject for ink paintings by East Asian artists. Matsumura Keibun, one of the foremost painters of the Kyoto-based Shijō school, adhered to conventions from Chinese painting manuals for suggesting a sense of depth through the rendering of intertwined tree branches. The variegated grays against an expansive blank background create a boldly graphic composition, while the animated strokes of the new shoots impart dynamism. Keibun was well versed in Ming (1368–1644)- and Qing (1644–1912)-dynasty art theory, and had close ties to sinologists in Kyoto intellectual circles. Among these literati was Rai San’yō, the author and calligrapher of the Chinese poem on the theme of “Plum Blossoms Reflected in Water,” which is brushed on the reverse of this freestanding single screen.

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