Japan: ‘Spring’—a watercolor painted on an interior screen by an unknown Japanese artist, c.1630-60.

One half of a pair—the other screen being called ‘Winter’—this tender springtime scene features birds and blooming camellias and green willows.

The unknown artist—who is clearly from the school of Unkoku Togan (1547-1618)—has used watercolor and gilded paper pulled across a wooden frame to create the screen.

Adopted from the Chinese in the 7th and 8th centuries CE, screens such as this are used in Japan to separate space within a house and are an integral part of Japanese décor.

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Supplier: CPA Media Co. Ltd.

Credit:

Pictures From History