1865 (ca.), Maruyama Ōbun, Carp Swimming En Face -- Yale University Art Gallery (New Haven)
From the museum label: The fifth head of the Maruyama line of painters, Maruyama Ōbun is known for his landscapes and flower-and-bird paintings, executed in a naturalistic style. His creativity and skill are evident in this unusual rendering of a black koi, or carp, swimming straight toward the viewer. Whereas traditionally the fish was shown either from the side or from a bird's-eye view, here it confronts the audience. With this decision, Ōbun seems to challenge the theme of success long associated with the subject: rather than journeying upstream, the black magoi carp advances like a submarine.
1865 (ca.), Maruyama Ōbun, Carp Swimming En Face -- Yale University Art Gallery (New Haven)
From the museum label: The fifth head of the Maruyama line of painters, Maruyama Ōbun is known for his landscapes and flower-and-bird paintings, executed in a naturalistic style. His creativity and skill are evident in this unusual rendering of a black koi, or carp, swimming straight toward the viewer. Whereas traditionally the fish was shown either from the side or from a bird's-eye view, here it confronts the audience. With this decision, Ōbun seems to challenge the theme of success long associated with the subject: rather than journeying upstream, the black magoi carp advances like a submarine.