Plum Treec. 1700 · Study 1983.10

Context from the museum

Ogata Kōrin had to think through his design carefully to create these white plum blossoms and deliver their effect, as he used the reserve technique—where selected areas of the painting surface are left unpainted—to achieve it. He probably roughed in the tree before applying an ink wash to the entire silk surface, except where he intended to place the flowers. He likely then returned to articulate the petals and, in some cases, the pistils and stamens. The composition shows the tree twisting out of view, only to return with a branch of new growth jabbing forth from an old, broken limb, thereby heightening the visual impact of the blossoms.

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

A detail to notice

The Rinpa style of painting is named for Ogata Kōrin, even though he did not create it.

Observation supplied by the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Read the dimensions before the image

The selected image measurement for Plum Tree is 35.4 cm wide and 94 cm high, equivalent to approximately 13.9 × 37.0 inches. Dividing width by height gives a format ratio of 0.38:1. The rectangular bounding area is 0.33 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 11.8% of the span before adding a frame. A centered placement leaves approximately 132.3 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 Plum Tree 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 on silk, in your notes when comparing contemporary works.

• Which part of this vertical composition catches your eye first?
• Would a 35.4 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?