Untitled

Tani Bunchō

early 19th century · Hanging scroll; ink and color on silk · Asian Art

This landscape with palatial architecture belongs to the "blue-green" style of landscape painting that developed in Tang-dynasty (618-907) China, where the style persisted as a conservative academic mode, and was revived in monumental form during the Ming dynasty (1368-1644). Works by Qiu Ying, a professional painter active in Suzhou in the first half of the sixteenth century, were treasured in Japan and are likely to have been the inspiration for this painting. Tani Bunchō was a prolific artist and art historian who worked in many Chinese and Japanese styles. The painting is signed Bunchō and bears a large and seldom-found seal.

Artist

Tani Bunchō

Date

early 19th century

Medium

Hanging scroll; ink and color on silk

Culture

Japan

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Theodore R. Conant, 1977