Sparrow on Branch

c. 1760-1765

Artist

Ike Taiga 池大雅, Japanese, 1723-1776: Born: Japan; Work Locations: Japan

Country

Japan

Object

painting

Medium

ink on paper

Accession Number

2014.178

Credit Line

Gift of the Kimiko and John Powers Collection in Honor of Ronald Otsuka

Ike no Taiga (Japanese, 1723–1776), Sparrow on Branch, about 1760–1765.
Ink and color on paper; 52 3/4 x 11 3/8 in.
Denver Art Museum: Gift of the Kimiko and John Powers Collection in honor of Ronald Otsuka, 2014.178

Dimensions

mount height: 78 3/8 in, 199.0725 cm; mount width: 16 1/2 in, 41.91 cm; image height: 52 3/4 in, 133.985 cm; image width: 11 3/8 in, 28.8925 cm; overall width: 18 1/2 in, 46.99 cm

Inscription

2 red seals left center

Department

Arts of Asia

Collection

Arts of Asia

Ike no Taiga
Japanese, 1723-1776
Sparrow on Branch
About 1760-1765, Edo period
Ink and color on paper
Gift of the Kimiko and John Powers Collection in honor of Ronald Otsuka
2014.178

Ike no Taiga was a central figure in the Japanese bunjinga movement inspired by the Chinese literati painters of the Song, Yuan, and Ming dynasties. Zen Buddhism also influenced his works. Praised for both his calligraphy and painting, Taiga studied and collaborated with prominent literati artists such as Yanagisawa Kien and Yosa Buson. He participated in poetry and painting gatherings where the spontaneous artistic results of drinking were highly valued.