Cat Seen from Behind

This charming ink and color painting on silk, titled "Cat Seen from Behind," offers a glimpse into the delicate artistry of Kawabata Gyokushō, an artist associated with the Maruyama school. Though the artwork's listed year of 1868 predates the artist's prolific period of album leaves (many of which are dated to the late 1880s and early 1890s in the Met's collection), it aligns with his overall artistic output. Gyokushō was known for his skilled depictions of nature and animals, as seen in his numerous works featuring birds, squirrels, and landscapes. This particular piece, part of a series of album leaves, showcases his ability to capture a quiet moment with understated elegance. The simplicity of the composition, focusing solely on the cat's form, invites contemplation and appreciation for the subtle details of its posture and fur.