Spring warmth (Haru atatakai no zu)

Kawabata Gyokushō, a prominent artist of the Maruyama school, created "Spring warmth (Haru atatakai no zu)" in 1881. Born in 1842, Gyokushō was active during a period of significant change in Japanese art, blending traditional styles with emerging influences. His work often featured natural subjects, as seen in many pieces from the Met Museum collection, such as "Plum Blossoms under the Moon at Dawn" and various album leaves depicting birds, animals, and landscapes. While the specific medium for "Spring warmth" is not noted, Gyokushō frequently worked with ink and color on silk, a common practice for hanging scrolls and album leaves. This particular piece, created when the artist was 39, fits well within his established focus on capturing the beauty and tranquility of the natural world, a hallmark of the Maruyama school's emphasis on realistic depictions of flora and fauna.