Fish in Summer and Autumn - Maruyama Ōkyo

A pair of hanging scrolls by Maruyama Ōkyo depicting fish in a stream, capturing seasonal shifts through delicate ink and colour on silk.

Maruyama Ōkyo, the founder of the Maruyama school, was known for his synthesis of traditional Japanese painting techniques with Western-influenced naturalism. This diptych, Fish in Summer and Autumn, demonstrates his ability to capture the movement of water and the behaviour of aquatic life with precision. The work features two hanging scrolls that depict the seasonal transition through flora and fauna.

The left scroll represents autumn, indicated by the delicate maple branches with reddening leaves extending over the water. Below, fish swim against a current rendered with fluid, light brushstrokes. The right scroll depicts summer, featuring a rocky outcrop adorned with flowering plants, accompanied by fish navigating the stream. The composition relies on the use of negative space, a hallmark of the period, which allows the viewer to focus on the subtle details of the subjects.

Ōkyo studied the anatomy of his subjects closely, often sketching from life to achieve a sense of realism that departed from the more stylised conventions of his contemporaries. His approach to the water, using soft washes of ink to suggest depth and flow, creates a sense of serenity. The balance between the organic forms of the fish and the structured elements of the rocks and branches reflects the artist's disciplined observation of the natural world. These scrolls are representative of the refined aesthetic favoured by the merchant class and the imperial court in Kyoto during the late eighteenth century. The muted palette and the careful placement of each element demonstrate the technical mastery required to create a harmonious visual narrative across two separate surfaces.