四季花鳥図03-秋 東京国立博物館
Ming Dynasty master Lu Ji was a favorite of emperors, known for painting birds so lifelike they were said to attract real feathered friends. In this autumn scene, he balances heavy, dark rocks with the delicate, floating petals of white and purple hibiscus flowers. Down by the water, a pair of geese rest peacefully, while up in the gnarled tree branches, black mynas chatter away at a diving white bird with a long, elegant tail. It's a perfect example of how Chinese court painters turned nature into a stage for drama and elegance, and this piece is part of a famous four-seasons set held in the Tokyo National Museum.
Location: Tokyo National Museum