Untitled

Soga Nichokuan

early 17th century · Hanging scroll; ink on paper · Asian Art

A solitary owl, alert and eyes wide open, is perched on the bough of an aged pine. Behind it a full moon, rendered in reserve, signals that the setting is evening. The owl, with its head turned slightly, stares directly at the viewer, creating an effect that is at once startling and humorous. Painted entirely in ink, the texture of feathers is effectively conveyed through layered brushwork in various tones.

Artist

Soga Nichokuan

Date

early 17th century

Medium

Hanging scroll; ink on paper

Culture

Japan

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Fishbein-Bender Collection, Gift of T. Richard Fishbein and Estelle P. Bender, 2012