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Japanese Two-Panel Screen: Sea Hawk by Watanabe Kiyoshi

Circa 1850, this refined two-panel screen by Watanabe Kiyoshi (1778–1861) depicts a solitary sea hawk perched on a rocky outcrop above gently rolling waves, capturing a moment of quiet strength and contemplation. Executed in ink with applied gold flake and gofun (powdered shell) on mulberry paper, the restrained composition reflects the elegance of late Edo-period Nihonga, where subtle brushwork and generous negative space evoke both atmosphere and movement. A painter in service to the Owari domain, Watanabe was celebrated for reviving the classical Yamato-e tradition while drawing upon both Kano and Tosa schools, bringing exceptional refinement to bird-and-flower (kachō-e) painting. The screen is mounted with a silk brocade border and finished in a black lacquer frame, complementing the work's quiet sophistication.