Old Pine Tree and White Peacock

Old Pine Tree and White Peacock

Although not native to Japan, peacocks were popular motifs in Buddhist art. They were associated with prosperity and culture as well as the Buddhist Peacock King, Mahamayuri. They were considered Chinese birds. Peonies shared these noble reputations, associated with royalty and Chinese-ness. Old Pine Tree and White Peacock depicts a regal white peacock perched in a pine tree surrounded by massive blossoming red, white, and pink peonies. Like many of Jakuchū's composition, this hanging scroll is painted on both sides. This technique allows artists to layer multiple colors, achieving unique depth in their composition.  This composition is also notable for its use of gold pigment. Jakuchū rarely used gold paints, for he considered them too matte. However, he chose to delineate the peacock's white feathers with gold pigment.

Itō Jakuchū (伊藤 若冲)

Colorful Realm of Living Beings

Yukio Lippit

c. 1759–1761

Yukio Lippit

public domain

painted hanging scroll

Japanese