Japanese Silk Painting “Songbird”, Mimoto, 1970s

Dimensions: height 57 cm, width 69 cm, depth 5 cm.

A small songbird perches on a slender branch, beak slightly open, surrounded by large, softly brown leaves. The calm beige background and transparent ink washes give the work a quiet, almost autumnal atmosphere in which the bird gently comes to the fore.

The painting is executed in the classical Nihonga tradition, with precise sumi-ink brush lines and subtle areas of colour that emphasise the veins of the leaves and the delicacy of the branches. In the lower right corner the work is signed with the name Mimoto in Japanese characters, accompanied by a red artist’s seal (hanko).

The piece is framed in a wide frame in matte gold and soft silver tones, which picks up the warm hues of the silk beautifully. The silk support itself is in good condition, with a light, even ageing of the ground that suits the age and character of the work. The frame shows a few small signs of wear along the edges but overall looks neat and well cared for.

As wall decor this painting immediately brings a sense of calm and refinement to the room. It looks beautiful on its own above a sideboard or desk, but also pairs very well with other Japanese objects, ceramics or natural materials.

A poetic, timeless piece that adds a gentle Japanese accent to any interior.