Heron perched on a rocky ledge with briars behind. Heron looks down to left. Signature and seal at lower right.

Heron on a Rock [right of a triptych of Scholar with Heron and Myna], mid 17th century

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Ink on paperexpand_more

Gift of Mrs. John Crosby, Jr.expand_more  72.57.3

Not on Viewexpand_more

Japanese hanging scrolls often come in groups of three: a central figure painting flanked by birds, landscapes, or complementary figures. Kusumi Morikage made this triptych’s central figure a Chinese scholar whose servant boy holds a pole to display a hanging scroll painting of bamboo. Though unidentified, the scholar is likely Su Dongpo (1037–1101), a famous Chinese statesman, poet, and painter. Bird-and-flower paintings in an abbreviated, quasi-Chinese style complement this portrait of an ancient Chinese literary hero.

        Although Kusumi Morikage never took the Kano name, he was a top student in the studio of Tan’yū (1602–1674), the Kano house’s leader, whose niece Morikage married. Their extraordinarily talented daughter, Kiyohara Yukinobu (1643–1682), was among the most prominent female painters in early modern Japan.
Details
Title
Heron on a Rock [right of a triptych of Scholar with Heron and Myna]
Artist Life
c. 1620 - 1690
Role
Artist
Accession Number
72.57.3
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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Heron perched on a rocky ledge with briars behind. Heron looks down to left. Signature and seal at lower right.