very large scroll with female tiger seated at center looking over PR shoulder toward two curious cubs at L edge; large tree with holes in trunk ULQ; tigers appear to be standing on cliff; rocks and bamboo at bottom of scene

Tigress with Two Cubs, 17th century

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On a rocky cliffside near the base of an old tree, two tiger cubs play under the watchful eye of their mother. Tigers were a favorite subject for East Asian painters, and Korean paintings of tigers were highly influential in Japan, where painters took Korean examples as their models, especially during and after the 1600s. In fact, this painting itself has a long history in Japan. It has been handed down with a document written in 1863 attributing the painting to Tenshō Shūbun (active c. 1403–50), a highly celebrated medieval Japanese painter to whom many ink paintings in Japan were traditionally attributed. More likely, however, it was created by a Korean artist working in the 1600s before finding its way to Japan, where it remained until recently.

Details
Title
Tigress with Two Cubs
Role
Artist
Accession Number
2013.29.664
Curator Approved

This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.

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very large scroll with female tiger seated at center looking over PR shoulder toward two curious cubs at L edge; large tree with holes in trunk ULQ; tigers appear to be standing on cliff; rocks and bamboo at bottom of scene