two groups of Chinese scholars in garden landscape; three men at L by bamboo trees looking to L; four men at R conversing; bamboo trees in background; rock bottom center; stream in background

Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove, first half 16th century

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This painting depicts seven scholars from third-century China gathered near a mountain stream and grove of bamboo. Four scholars chat at right while three at left admire a waterfall. Artists began creating images of the so-called “Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove” as early as the fourth century in China and by the ninth century in Japan.

Little is known about the painter of this work, whose seal was once impressed at lower left and later scratched away. His style, however, is similar to that of a circle of painters active in eastern Japan in the vicinity of Kamakura during the late Muromachi period.

Details
Title
Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove
Artist Life
act. first half of 16th century
Role
Artist
Accession Number
2015.79.50
Provenance
Mr. Saburo Naoki; Nakayamate-che, Kobe, Nov. 10, 1939 Fujioka Kaoru until November, 1968 Mary and Jackson Burke Foundation
Catalogue Raisonne
Murase, Art through a Lifetime, no. 102
Curator Approved

This record is from historic documentation and may not have been reviewed by a curator, so may be inaccurate or incomplete. Our 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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two groups of Chinese scholars in garden landscape; three men at L by bamboo trees looking to L; four men at R conversing; bamboo trees in background; rock bottom center; stream in background