White Heron Hunting Prey | Nishiyama Kan'ei 西山完瑛 | 1833-1897

This painting, mounted on very fine fabrics (brocade featuring ancient water symbols), plays upon the classical art of omission – the white heron is not painted white, but appears white solely due to the delicate grey tint of the background. The bird’s intense focus, as it appears on the verge of catching its prey, captivates the viewer. Fleeting brushstrokes and the precise, meticulous observation of an animal lying in tense wait complement one another here in a masterful manner.

Stylistically, Nishiyama belongs to the great Shijō School in Kyoto, which set the tone in the 19th century. However, he lived in Osaka and worked as a Confucian scholar in the service of the Akashi clan. His works can be found at the Worcester Art Museum in Massachusetts, the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, and in many Japanese collections.

The box for this painting was created by Kawai Gyokudō, a highly respected painter.