Autumn in a Mountain Valley1862 · Study 1983.112

Context from the museum

Born in Okayama in western Japan, samurai Fujimoto Tesseki learned literati painting before abandoning his local government position to travel the country studying calligraphy, military science, painting, and poetry. He funded his training with sales of his calligraphies and paintings and later founded a school of Japanese studies and martial arts near Kyoto. Despite his skill with ink, Tesseki may be better remembered for his politics. Opposed to the military government of his era, he wanted a return to direct rule by the emperor, a cause for which he died in battle.

Museum description reproduced from its CC0 open-access record. Read the original catalog entry.

Read the dimensions before the image

The selected painting measurement for Autumn in a Mountain Valley is 64.2 cm wide and 138.5 cm high, equivalent to approximately 25.3 × 54.5 inches. Dividing width by height gives a format ratio of 0.46:1. The rectangular bounding area is 0.89 square meters; it describes the measured footprint, not the amount of paint or the monetary value.

On an illustrative 300 cm wall, the recorded width occupies 21.4% of the span before adding a frame. A centered placement leaves approximately 117.9 cm on each side before adding a frame. These are calculations by Physical Art For Crypto using museum measurements. They are not the museum’s display recommendations.

Questions to bring to your own collection

With Autumn in a Mountain Valley in view, identify one feature you can point to, then distinguish what the museum records from your personal response. Keep its medium, hanging scroll; ink and color on paper, in your notes when comparing contemporary works.

• Which part of this vertical composition catches your eye first?
• Would a 64.2 cm width still suit the space after allowing for furniture and a frame?
• What surface detail would you need to see in person or in a close photograph?