Kishi Renzan (1805-1859), Eagle on a snowy pine

Against a damp winter sky stands out a vigorous pine of which only a part is visible, the observer being invited to imagine its summit, its base and the rest of the image. In the foreground, an eagle perched on the trunk is depicted realistically, in particular its plumage rendered by a skilful use of diluted and nuanced ink in fine gradations ranging from pearl gray to dark black, while a few spots of yellow enliven its beak and its eye. His scrutinizing gaze traces a diagonal that echoes the branch below and that of the screen on the right, thus accentuating the dramatic aspect of the scene.

Adopted son and son-in-law of Kishi Ganku (1749-1838) – the founder of the Kishi school, who became famous for his paintings of tigers -, Renzan specialized in painting “flowers and birds” (kachōga). He decorated the sliding doors in this style (fusuma) of the "Hall of the Wild Geese" in the Kyoto Imperial Palace.

Cartel:

Kishi Renzan (1805-1859)
Eagle on a snowy pine, 1850
Edo period (1603-1868)
Pair of 6 leaf screens
Ink and light colors on paper
171 x 370 cm (each)
CM 2014-2

Gift of the Society of Friends of the Cernuschi Museum, 2014

Photo credit :