19th Century Japanese Study for a Screen

A 19th century Japanese study for a screen, representing the elegant tradition of byobu where functional room dividers become expansive canvases for seasonal storytelling. This piece captures the delicate interplay of nature and status that defined Japanese interiors, using the traditional multi-panel format to create a sense of movement and depth.

Circa 1850, this original period work was created during the twilight of the Edo period, a time when the beauty of function reached its most refined expression.

Ink and mineral pigments on silk, set within a light timber framework and protected by a black lacquered wood frame with decorative metal fittings. Rooted in the Japanese tradition of Shōheiga, this screen connects the viewer to the seasonal rhythms and poetic narratives that have defined Japanese artistic sensibility for centuries.