Monthly Archives: January 2014

Almond Blossom

Van Gogh, , ,

Almond Blossom, 1890 Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890).

On January 31, 1890, Theo wrote to Vincent of the birth of his son, whom he had named Vincent Willem. Van Gogh, who was extremely close to his younger brother, immediately set about making him a painting of his favorite subject: blossoming branches against a blue sky. The gift was meant to hang over the couple’s bed. As a symbol of this new life, Vincent chose an almond tree, which blooms early in southern regions, announcing the coming spring as early as February.

Almon Blossom - Van Gogh

 

Link:

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Van_Gogh_Almond_blossom.jpg

Daphne odora and Mojisuri-so

Japanese paintings - Edo Period, Kubo Shunman, Polychrome woodblock print, Surimono, , , , , , ,

Daphne odora and Mojisuri-so by Kubo Shunman (Japanese, 1757–1820)

Daphne odora (winter daphne) is a species of flowering plant in the family Thymelaeaceae, native to China and Japan. It is an evergreen shrub, grown for its very fragrant, fleshy, pale-pink, tubular flowers, each with 4 spreading lobes, and for its glossy foliage. It rarely fruits, producing red berries after flowering.

Mojisuri should mean scattered.

Daphne odora and Mojisuri-so Kubo Shunman (Japanese, 1757–1820)

 

Link:

http://www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/54100

Gold-Fish in a Glass Bottle

Japanese paintings - Edo Period, Polychrome woodblock print, Surimono, Totoya Hokkei, , , , , ,

Gold-Fish in a Glass Bottle by Totoya Hokkei (Japanese, 1780–1850).

Hokkei was originally a fishmonger. After studying Japanese painting with Kano Yosen, he became a pupil of the great master Katsushika Hokusai. Hokkei specialized in surimono (woodblock prints privately commissioned by poetry circles of the wealthy and educated citizens of Edo (Tokyo).

He also created  book illustrations.  Books in old Japan were produced with the same woodblock technique as single sheets.

In Japan, goldfish is a symbol for peace and fortune due to it being coloured and therefore signifying wealth.

Starting in ancient China, various species of carp  have been domesticated and reared as food fish for thousands of years. Some of these normally gray or silver species have a tendency to produce red, orange or yellow color mutations; this was first recorded in the Jin Dynasty (265–420).

In 1603, goldfish were introduced to Japan, where the Ryukin and Tosakin varieties were developed. In 1611, goldfish were introduced to Portugal and from there to other parts of Europe.

During the 1620s, goldfish were highly regarded in southern Europe because of their metallic scales, and symbolized good luck and fortune. It became tradition for married men to give their wives a goldfish on their one-year anniversary, as a symbol for the prosperous years to come. This tradition quickly died, as goldfish became more available, losing their status.

Gold-Fish in a Glass Bottle by Totoya Hokkei

 

Link:

http://www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/55067