Snow Landscapemid-1770s · Study 1997.111

Context from the museum

In this painting, the mountains and sky glow with a hidden warmth from undertones in red as birds descend into the trees around a scholar’s retreat. Yosa Buson is recognized in Japanese literary history as one of the country’s greatest poets, but he was also an accomplished, self-taught painter. His style changed over the course of his career. Initially painting with precise brushwork, he gradually developed a freer style like the one he used in this snowscape.

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

A detail to notice

One of the artist's seals reads: "flung ink gives life to brush lines."

Observation supplied by the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Read the dimensions before the image

The selected painting only measurement for Snow Landscape is 67.3 cm wide and 174.6 cm high, equivalent to approximately 26.5 × 68.7 inches. Dividing width by height gives a format ratio of 0.39:1. The rectangular bounding area is 1.18 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 22.4% of the span before adding a frame. A centered placement leaves approximately 116.3 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 Snow Landscape 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 67.3 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?