Leaping Carp (Translation)
昇鲤図 江戶時代 長沢芦雪 絹本著色 (Primary Title)

Nagasawa Rosetsu 長沢芦雪, Japanese, 1754–1799 (Artist)

late 18th century
Japanese
Hanging scroll, ink and color on silk
Place Made,Asia,Japan
Image: 35 1/2 × 14 1/4 in. (90.17 × 36.2 cm)
Mount: 68 7/16 × 18 9/16 in. (173.83 × 47.15 cm)
2023.11
Not on view

In Chinese legend, a carp swims upstream of the Yellow River and, after jumping over the Dragon Gate, becomes a dragon, making the fish a symbol of prosperity and accomplishment. Executed in ink and light color, Nagasawa Rosetsu transformed a momentary action into a permanent effect. Born to a samurai family near Kyoto, Rosetsu studied the Maruyama-Shoji painting style, which advocated for naturalism and encouraged sketching from life.

Maruyama School 円山派
Edo period (1615-1868)
Signed at bottom left corner of image: 蘆雪 [Nagasawa]
Two artist's seals: 長魚 Nagagyo, 主計 Shukei
None
Adolph D. and Wilkins C. Williams Fund
See the Published References

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