Four Sages of Mt. Shang
Original Language Title江戸時代 狩野常信 商山四皓 紙本金地著色
Artist
Kanō Tsunenobu
(Japanese, 1636 - 1713)
Datelate 17th-early 18th century
MediumSix-panel screen; ink, color, and gold leaf on paper
DimensionsOverall: 67 1/4 × 153 inches (170.82 × 388.62 cm)
Credit LineGift of Charles H. Parker
Object number39-7
On View
Not on viewCollections
Gallery LabelThese four white-bearded scholar-officials are heroes of an ancient Chinese legend. In a classic example of Confucian idealism, they retired from their prestigious government positions to seclude themselves on remote Mount Shang. They were protesting the despotic regime of the notorious emperor of the Qin dynasty (201–206 B.C.E).
Japanese warrior rulers employed artists like Kanō Tsunenobu to decorate their residences with Confucian and other virtuous Chinese themes, including the episode depicted here.
With Charles H. Parker, Boston, by March 1939;
His gift to The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, MO, 1939.
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