Description
A Japanese two-panel folding screen featuring bold ink calligraphy set against a luminous gold leaf ground. This composition presents a striking contrast between the fluid, expressive brushwork and the quiet radiance of the gilded surface, embodying the essence of Japanese aesthetic balance.
The right panel is dominated by large, commanding characters executed in sweeping, confident strokes. The characters are: 野人 mean something like “wild person“.
The left panel offers a complementary vertical inscription rendered in more measured, elegant script, creating a dialogue between dynamic energy and contemplative rhythm. Although it’s written as Chinese, it’s actually poetry by a 16th-century Korean neo-Confucian philosopher named Kim In-hoo (sometimes spelled Kim In-hu). A rough translation might be:
Her body stands at the edge of the breeze, like a slender willow
Her eyebrows, reflected in the mirror, resemble distant mountains
Both panels bear artist seals, reinforcing their authenticity and artistic intent.
The calligraphy is executed in sumi ink on paper, mounted within a traditional format and framed by silk brocade borders. The surrounding gold leaf (kinpaku) reflects light softly, enhancing the visual impact of the ink while adding depth and warmth to the overall composition. This interplay of black ink and gold ground is a hallmark of Japanese screen art, often used to elevate calligraphy into a meditative visual experience.
This screen of was likely used in a residential interior, serving as a focal point for reflection, study, and display. The calligraphy itself conveys philosophical or poetic meaning, rooted in classical literary traditions, where the act of writing is as significant as the words themselves.
Age: 19th Century Circa early 1800’s
Dimensions: 62″ wide x 63 1/2″ high