Sparrow on Branch

Sparrow on Branch

c. 1760-1765
Artist
Ike Taiga 池大雅, Japanese, 1723-1776
Born: Japan
Work Locations: Japan
Country
Japan
Object
painting
Medium
ink on paper
Accession Number
2014.178
Credit Line
Gift of the Kimiko and John Powers Collection in Honor of Ronald Otsuka

Ike no Taiga (Japanese, 1723–1776), Sparrow on Branch, about 1760–1765.
Ink and color on paper; 52 3/4 x 11 3/8 in.
Denver Art Museum: Gift of the Kimiko and John Powers Collection in honor of Ronald Otsuka, 2014.178

Dimensions
mount height: 78 3/8 in, 199.0725 cm; mount width: 16 1/2 in, 41.91 cm; image height: 52 3/4 in, 133.985 cm; image width: 11 3/8 in, 28.8925 cm; overall width: 18 1/2 in, 46.99 cm
Inscription
2 red seals left center
Department
Arts of Asia
Collection
Arts of Asia

Ike no Taiga
Japanese, 1723-1776
Sparrow on Branch 
About 1760-1765, Edo period 
Ink and color on paper
Gift of the Kimiko and John Powers Collection in honor of Ronald Otsuka
2014.178

Ike no Taiga was a central figure in the Japanese bunjinga movement inspired by the Chinese literati painters of the Song, Yuan, and Ming dynasties. Zen Buddhism also influenced his works. Praised for both his calligraphy and painting, Taiga studied and collaborated with prominent literati artists such as Yanagisawa Kien and Yosa Buson. He participated in poetry and painting gatherings where the spontaneous artistic results of drinking were highly valued.