Six Persimmons, attributed to Muqi: a new reading

Six Persimmons, attributed to Muqi, 13th century (Daitokuji, Kyoto, Japan). A conversation with Dr. Beth Harris and Dr. Laura W. Allen, Senior curator for Japanese art, Asian Art Museum, San Francisco.

[@barrymoore4470]

So beautiful in its austere simplicity. This kind of art was approaching abstraction some seven centuries before Western artists began to cultivate abstraction for its own sake.

[@Sasha0927]

So happy to see another informative and unexpected Smarthistory vid today - you guys are starting my weekend off right. 😌 I was watching this video like 😅 for much of it, thinking of how much it reminded me of the abstract / modern art playlists, so it was extremely validating for Dr. Harris to reference that. I also agreed with what Dr. Allen said about this having a highly personal interpretation. I think of the human life-cycle when I look at this: infancy, childhood, that small, "breaking the line" period of adolescence, the larger and more substantial early adulthood, senior years, and then... 💀 That's just me, though. Loved this (and the idea of tea gatherings). I want something like that in my life.

[@skypilgrim]

The simplicity is always such a fun mask for the skill needed to work with such bold ink. It's a very calming painting.

[@sherryzimmerman9220]

The unrolling of Six Persimmons possibly signifying Fall…..the gift that’s always giving…..

[@mihiec]

Wow ! I wouldn't expect that! I always wanted to know more about this after i seen i in book 10 years ago

[@SmittenKitten.]

At first glance, I actually thought the persimmons on the two ends were meant to be made of clear glass.

[@kerryrwalton7791]

After a while I keep thinking the persimmons are sitting on a table. It would be interesting to compare this to Cezanne's apples.

[@addon0]

正

[@tpot725]

Sumi-e

[@watch-Dominion-2018]

they're not orange so they're not persimmons

[@adahmc]

Why not just say that it is just some black ink at different dilutions organized on a piece of paper? Of course, they are NOT persimmons. It is just the painter (or some person in later history) named it "Six Persimmons". "Ceci n'est pas une pipe" -Rene Magritte

[@elainechen2098]

🤤 P r o m o s m