2024 Rinpa Screens Exhibtion (Exploring the Rich Heritage of Rinpa School Screens from 17th Century Japan)NEW

Whether displayed in private households or in temples, screens were an integral part of traditional Japanese interiors. Artists could experiment with painting techniques and motifs on these large, decorative surfaces. The three-dimensional, folded format allowed them to play with perception and to cleverly trick the viewer’s eye so that scenes of undulating dragons, stormy seas, and elegant foliage came to life and animated a room.

Explore a selection of screens painted in the Rinpa style, a movement known for stylized forms in bright colors that spanned the seventeenth to the nineteenth century. A complementary display of ceramics demonstrates the aesthetic exchange facilitated by trade between Japan and China and interrogates what makes a work of art Japanese.

Please note: This exhibition will be temporarily closed to the public from August 14-18, 2023.

Detail, Maple Leaves on a Stream (front), Ikeda Koson (1801-1866), Edo period, 1856-58, pair of six-panel folding screens; ink and color on gilded paper, Purchase-Harold P. Stern Memorial Fund and funds provided by the Friends of the Freer and Sackler Galleries in appreciation of James W. Lintott and his exemplary service to the Galleries as chair of the Board of Trustees (2011-2015), Freer Gallery of Art, F2014.7.1-2

Date of Exhibition
Feb 25, 2023 - Feb 4, 2024

Location
Freer Gallery of Art | Gallery 5

Collection Area
Japanese Art

What is Rinpa Screens?
Rinpa Screens refer to screens or folding screens associated with the Rinpa school of Japanese painting. Rinpa is an art movement that originated in the 17th century in Japan and is known for its bold and decorative style. Screens, or "byobu" in Japanese, are traditional folding screens that are often adorned with intricate paintings.

Rinpa Screens typically feature vibrant and stylized depictions of nature, landscapes, flowers, and birds. The artists of the Rinpa school often used bold colors, gold leaf, and luxurious materials to create visually striking compositions. These screens were not only functional but also served as works of art, adding beauty to interior spaces.

Rinpa art has had a significant influence on Japanese aesthetics and continues to be appreciated for its timeless beauty. The screens produced by Rinpa artists are considered valuable cultural artifacts and are often displayed in museums and private collections.