Artwork preview

Chinese Scholar Contemplating a Waterfall

Soga Shōhaku

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The image depicts a traditional Japanese landscape painting on a folding screen. Two panels are side by side, with a thin black line separating them. The painting features a sepia-toned scene with black and white details, bordered by a dark green frame adorned with gold floral patterns. The scene shows a mountain range with a large waterfall on the left and a pagoda-style building on the right. Trees and foliage are scattered throughout the landscape. A small building is visible on the bottom left. The painting includes Japanese calligraphy in the top right corner. The overall style is classical and serene, suggesting a contemplative atmosphere. The artwork is titled "Chinese Scholar Contemplating a Waterfall" and attributed to Soga Shōhaku.

Artwork Details

Date
late18th–early 19th century
Medium
Two-panel folding screen; ink and gold on paper
Culture
Japan
Dimensions
599 × 544 px
Public Domain
Yes
Museum Record
View original
Palette