Artwork preview

Sparrows and Chrysanthemums

Katsushika Hokusai

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The artwork features two small birds flying amidst a floral arrangement. The birds have predominantly brown bodies with white accents on their faces and chests. Their wings are spread wide as they fly towards the right. The flowers depicted are chrysanthemums in various colors including shades of orange, pink, and white. The flowers have dense clusters of petals and are accompanied by dark green leaves. A vertical line of Japanese characters is visible on the left side. The background of the artwork transitions from a lighter shade at the bottom to a darker shade at the top.

Artwork Details

Date
ca. 1825
Medium
Woodblock print; ink and color on paper
Culture
Japan
Dimensions
599 × 467 px
Public Domain
Yes
Museum Record
View original
Palette