Fine Art

Irises — History & Facts

Irises is a pair of six-panel folding screens created by Ogata Kōrin between 1701 and 1702, using ink and color on gold-foiled paper. This work was produced at the beginning of the 18th century and is a significant example of the Rinpa school of painting in early Edo-period Japan. It is held in the Nezu Art Museum in Tokyo. The screens depict clusters of Japanese irises rendered in deep blue and green pigments, set against a luminous gold background.

The composition features dense groupings of iris blossoms and long, slender leaves that sweep rhythmically across the panels, creating a sense of movement and unity. The use of gold leaf provides a striking contrast to the rich colors of the flowers, emphasizing their form and vibrancy while flattening the pictorial space in accordance with Rinpa aesthetics. Irises is one of the most celebrated works by Ogata Kōrin and exemplifies his mature style. The screens have been preserved in the Nezu Art Museum, where they are recognized as a masterpiece of Japanese decorative painting.

The work is closely associated with the cultural revival of classical court literature and aesthetics in early 18th-century Kyoto, reflecting both the technical innovation and the refined taste of its time.

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