Question

What is the description of the painting White and Red Plum Blossoms by Ogata Korin?

1) The composition is rather startling.
2) The white plum tree's trunk is mostly outside of the screen.
3) One major branch comes back into the screen horizontally.
4) All of these elements are combined to yield a stunning decorative effect.

Answer 1

Ogata Korin's painting White and Red Plum Blossoms employs a startling composition with the white plum tree's trunk mostly outside of the frame, creating a captivating decorative effect.

Step-by-step explanation:

The painting White and Red Plum Blossoms by Ogata Korin is a stellar example of Japanese artistry where balance, nature, and decorativeness blend together seamlessly. The composition is indeed startling, with the white plum tree's trunk mostly extending out of the visual frame while one significant branch reaches back into the scene horizontally. This arrangement unites all the artistic elements to create a captivating decorative effect that is characteristic of Korin's style. In the context of Japanese byobu screens, this approach to composition was not unusual, as seen in works by other artists such as Eitoku and Hishida Shunsō, who also manipulated space, depth, and decorative elements masterfully in their screen paintings.