Chrysanthemums by a Streamc. 1715–30 or later · Study 1958.206

Context from the museum

These screens recall a painting style so closely identified with Ogata Kōrin (1658–1716) that it is called Rinpa, or “Rin School,” after the ideograph “rin” in his name. The highly stylized background accentuates floral groupings that have been groomed so as to appear utterly artificial, like the synthetic arrangements available today. Kōrin's genius derived in large measure from natural phenomena painstakingly observed and then manipulated to create compositions of startling refinement and sparkling isolation. This process may have grown out of Kōrin's early immersion in the family textile business, a medium that encourages such dramatic distillations of form: the stream's gold-crested waves bring to mind traditional kimono robe designs of Kōrin's era. Works with the signature seen on this painting, including a style name, or persona suggested to Kōrin by his brother Kenzan (1663–1743), are sometimes considered to have been produced either in the last year of his life, when he was very ill, or after his death. In both scenarios, the lion’s share of the work would have been done by studio assistants, but little is truly known of his studio practice. Given the regularity of the gold waves on the stream, and the tension in the arrangement of the chrysanthemums, it is also possible that the screens were made in emulation of Kōrin's designs by a later artist.

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

A detail to notice

The signature used on these screens can perhaps indicate paintings made in the last year of the artist's life, or works completed by his studio after his death.

Observation supplied by the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Read the dimensions before the image

The selected overall measurement for Chrysanthemums by a Stream is 369.9 cm wide and 163.2 cm high, equivalent to approximately 145.6 × 64.3 inches. Dividing width by height gives a format ratio of 2.27:1. The rectangular bounding area is 6.04 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 123.3% of the span before adding a frame. That exceeds the example wall width, so a smaller reference wall would not reproduce the recorded scale. 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 Chrysanthemums by a Stream in view, identify one feature you can point to, then distinguish what the museum records from your personal response. Keep its medium, Pair of six-panel folding screens; ink and color on gilded paper, in your notes when comparing contemporary works.

• Which part of this horizontal composition catches your eye first?
• Would a 369.9 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?