Autumn in Takao - Kiyohara Yukinobu (17th century)

Kiyohara Yukinobu (Japanese, 1643–1682)

Hanging scroll, ink and color on silk

Cleveland Museum of Art

A gnarled maple branch, its leaves turned brilliant coral and rust, arcs gracefully over a gently curving stream in this delicate hanging scroll. A pale blue poem-card dangles from the branch, its calligraphy adding a literary flourish to the seasonal scene, while soft bamboo fronds and quiet water complete the composition. Kiyohara Yukinobu, one of the few celebrated women painters of early Edo Japan, was renowned for her refined brushwork and lyrical treatment of nature drawn from the Kano school tradition in which she trained. This tranquil autumn view brings a poetic stillness well suited to quiet contemplation, its muted palette and airy composition offering a serene focal point for any room.