Sketch for a Painting of Mi Fu Inscribing a Poem on a Rock

Kano artist After Kano Tan'yū Japanese

dated 1666

Not on view

In this large vertical composition, Tan'yū depicted the famous Northern Song calligrapher Mi Fu (1051–1107) writing a poem on a rock surface at a celebrated literati party known as the Elegant Gathering at the Western Garden. This panel also bears Tan'yū's title, mention of his age (sixty-five), and a painted seal reading Seimei.

Most of Tan'yū's shukuzu lack the fully realized signatures seen on this panel and its companion. These drawings may have been made not as shukuzu but rather as preliminary drawings for paintings.

Artwork Details

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Provenance

Exhibition History

Title: Sketch for a Painting of Mi Fu Inscribing a Poem on a Rock
Artist: Kano artist After Kano Tan'yū (Japanese, 1602–1674)
Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
Date: dated 1666
Culture: Japan
Medium: Hanging scroll mounted as a panel; ink and color on paper
Dimensions: Image: 33 1/8 x 16 1/4 in. (84.1 x 41.3 cm)
Overall with mounting: 36 1/2 x 18 7/8 in. (92.7 x 47.9 cm)
Framed: 37 3/4 x 19 7/8 in. (95.9 x 50.5 cm)
Classification: Paintings
Credit Line: Gift of John and Lili Bussel, 1996
Object Number: 1996.464.1
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

By Kano Tan'yū

In the same medium

From the same time and place

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Sketch for a Painting of Scholars at the Game of Go, Kano Tan'yū Japanese, Hanging scroll mounted as a panel; ink and color on paper, Japan — Sketch for a Painting of Scholars at the Game of Go
Kano Tan'yū
dated 1666

“Bluish-Green Fish Scales”, Kano Tan'yū Japanese, Hanging scroll; ink on paper, Japan — “Bluish-Green Fish Scales”
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mid-17th century

Hotei, Kano Tan'yū Japanese, Hanging scroll; ink on paper, Japan — Hotei
Kano Tan'yū
probably 17th or 18th century

Famous Themes for Painting Study Known as “The Garden of Painting” (Gaen)

, Kano Tan'yū Japanese, Handscroll; ink on paper, Japan — Famous Themes for Painting Study Known as “The Garden of Painting” (Gaen)
Kano Tan'yū
1670

Famous Themes for Painting Study Known as “The Garden of Painting” (Gaen)

, Kano Tan'yū Japanese, One of a pair of handscrolls; ink on paper, Japan — Famous Themes for Painting Study Known as “The Garden of Painting” (Gaen)
Kano Tan'yū
1670

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