Untitled
The Met
Artist: Watanabe Seitei(Japanese, 1851–1918)
Date: ca. 1887
Department: Asian Art
Classification: Paintings
Medium: Album leaf; ink and color on silk
Dimensions: 14 1/8 x 10 3/4 in. (35.9 x 27.3 cm)
Credit Line: Charles Stewart Smith Collection, Gift of Mrs. Charles Stewart Smith, Charles Stewart Smith Jr., and Howard Caswell Smith, in memory of Charles Stewart Smith, 1914
Visual Descriptions
AI GeneratedVisual Summary
Brief Description
A kingfisher with blue and white feathers dives into water amidst dark reeds
Detailed Description
A vertical painting depicts a kingfisher diving into water amidst reeds, rendered with a muted palette against a light grey background. The kingfisher is positioned slightly to the left of the center, captured mid-descent with its wings spread upwards and its head pointed downwards. Its back and head are a vibrant blue, contrasting with its white chest and a touch of orange-brown on its underside. Its long, dark beak is submerged or just touching the water, and it appears to be grasping a small, light-colored object, possibly a fish. To the left of the kingfisher, a cluster of dark, vertical brushstrokes represents reeds or tall grasses. These strokes vary in thickness and length, some extending from the bottom edge upwards and others appearing to emerge from the water. Further into the background, lighter, more diffuse grey strokes suggest additional reeds receding into the distance, creating a sense of depth. The lower portion of the painting features subtle horizontal lines, indicating the surface of the water. The overall background is a soft, uniform light grey. In the bottom left corner, there is a small, dark inscription followed by a red seal.
Generated by gemini-2.5-flash
