CranesSuzuki Kiitsu · 1820
1820
Harvard Art Museums
The sublime simplicity of the supple necks and luxuriant feathers of this group of cranes is complemented by the tangle of angular legs at ground level. A patch of water bridges the gap between the two screens, compelling unification in the mind’s eye. As the birds call to and gaze at each other in the shallow pictorial space, their body language echoes the distinctive coiled ripples inked on the azurite water. Although iconic in its own right, Kiitsu’s painting also self-consciously extends an emblem of the School of Kōrin by creatively reprising a crane painting by his master, Sakai Hōitsu (1761–1828). Hōitsu’s painting was itself a reworking of a magnificent pair of crane screens by Ogata Kōrin (1658–1716).
Suzuki Kiitsu (1796 – 1858)
Suzuki Kiitsu (1796-1858) was a prominent Rinpa painter known for his stunning folding screens & nature scenes. Reinterpreted works showcase his skill & influence.
Harvard Art Museums (Cambridge, United States of America)
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About this artwork
- Title: Cranes
- Artist: Suzuki Kiitsu
- Year: 1820
- Format: Panoramic
- Copyright status: Public domain
- Where to see it: Harvard Art Museums
- Color hue: Ochre to Sepia
- Color intensity: Vivid
Questions & Answers
Is "Cranes" by Suzuki Kiitsu a portrait, landscape or square composition?
The format of "Cranes" is panoramic. This is useful when planning where a reproduction will be placed.
Why is the copyright status of "Cranes" what it is?
"Cranes" by Suzuki Kiitsu is in the public domain - its copyright has expired. Copyright terms are measured from the artist's death, and Suzuki Kiitsu died in 1858.
What saturation and intensity does "Cranes" by Suzuki Kiitsu show?
The colors of "Cranes" by Suzuki Kiitsu show a clear color presence saturation with a vivid intensity.