Section of Eight Views of the Xiao and Xiang Rivers

Original Language Title狩野探幽　瀟湘八景図

Artist Kano Tan'yū (Japanese, 1602 - 1674)

Dateca. 1644-1650

MediumHanging scroll; ink on silk

DimensionsOverall: 46 3/4 × 56 7/16 inches (118.75 × 143.35 cm)

Credit LineGift of James Freeman in honor of Marc F. Wilson

Object number2007.13

SignedLower left of the painting

MarkingsSeal located lower left after signature

On View

Not on view

Collections

East Asian Art

Terms

DescriptionThe painting is executed in ink monochrome. It contains three sections. From the right of the painting, the section features a misty river landscape with fisherman's boats sketchly rendered on the river. In the middle section, a flock of geese fly to the distant sandbar. To the left side, snow piles up on hill and tree trunks. The painting is finished by the artist's signature and seal located on the lower left corner. Probably a handscroll format formerly, it is now mounted in a hanging scroll with futomaki supporting the bottom roller. The ink painting is sandwiched by two layers of the elaborate embroidery mounting on top and bottom, first in butterfly patterns and floral patterns of the outer layer.Gallery Label

Gallery Label

Reading from right to left, Kanō Tan’yū depicted three scenes from the Eight Views of the Xiao and Xiang Rivers, a Chinese subject that captures the scenic beauty of southern China. The theme became popular in Japan after the 1200s. Here, Tan’yū used a wet and broad inkwash to render the silhouette of a distant mountain range and moist air. The brushwork and composition of the three scenes here refer to the Chinese ink painting style seen in a landscape painting by Xia Gui (Chinese, active about 1180–1224).

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