Early 19th century
Japan
Gold leaf, paint, paper
54″ high x 128″ long x 1″ deep

An elegantly expressive work with beautiful compositional balance. A mysterious and moving narrative unfolds: The beatific little boy drifting downriver dominates the right-hand panels, while the left side of the screen depicts two women, one probably the distraught mother, beseeching the other figure. The fog beginning to engulf the river is created with different densities of gold leaf. We love the contrast between the golden fog and the indigo river, the delicate details of the women’s robes, the strangely bittersweet mood of the entire scene.

This magnificent painting has been removed from the six-panel screen and mounted flat to conservation paper and panel. Hung with custom-made hardware of blackened steel.