the screens were made in Japan during the late 16th century. Later, at some point in history, it became a part of the Mary Griggs Burke Collection. The art piece was gifted to the Metropolitan Museum of Art by the Mary and Jackson Burke foundation in 2015.
Flowers and grasses of four seasons is a pair of six-panel folding screens associated with the Kanō school and attributed to the circle of Kano Mitsunobu during the late Momoyama period. It is important to note that this painting is attributed to the circle of Kano Mitsunobu rather than definitively by Mitsunobu himself. Historians believe that is was likely created by an artist or group of artist closely working in Mitsunobu's style or workshop rather than being painted by him. It was common with Kano school where assistants and followers produced paintings using their master's style. The painting portrays a rich variety of seasonal flowers and grasses spread across a luminous gold-leaf background, creating a beautiful vibrant piece of art. Different plants represent the cycle of the four seasons, reflecting the Japanese appreciation for nature and the passing of time. The gold surface brightens the composition while also giving the screens a luxurious appearance suited to aristocratic and military residences of the Momoyama era. Delicate brushstrokes, soft color transitions, and carefully arranged natural forms create a calm and refined atmosphere.
The work also demonstrates the artistic characteristics of the Kanō school, which blended Chinese-inspired ink painting traditions with Japanese decorative aesthetics. Although the composition is densely filled with floral imagery, the artist skillfully balances detail with open space, preventing the screens from appearing overcrowded. The flowers and grasses seem to move gently across the panels, giving the painting rhythm and life. Rather than focusing on dramatic narrative scenes, the screens celebrate the beauty of the natural world itself. The combination of mineral pigments, ink, and gold leaf highlights the technical sophistication of Momoyama painting and reflects the cultural taste for grandeur, elegance, and seasonal symbolism during the period.
Flowers and Grasses of the Four Seasons is a monumental Momoyama-period screen painting attributed to the Circle of Kanō Mitsunobu, housed in The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Executed on a grand scale across folding paper screens, the artwork uses ink, mineral colors, and shimmering gold leaf to create a luminous natural panorama.
Departing from the monumental, dramatic brushwork of his father, Kanō Eitoku, Mitsunobu was celebrated for his delicate, lyrical aesthetic. This composition captures the cyclical passage of time, flowing smoothly from spring to winter through meticulously rendered flora—such as peonies, kerria roses, and chrysanthemums—punctuated by subtle insects. The brilliant gold leaf background served a dual purpose: it reflected dim candlelight in traditional castle interiors while functioning as an explicit symbol of elite patron wealth. Harmonizing fine painting with masterful craftsmanship, the work remains an enduring testament to late-16th-century Kanō school sophistication.
