Scholar Seated under a Tree

Accession Number
1964/1.96

Title
Scholar Seated under a Tree

Artist(s)
Tani Bunchō

Object Creation Date
late 18th century - 1840

Medium & Support
fan painting matted for framing, ink and color on paper

Dimensions
13 1/16 in x 24 5/16 in (33.2 cm x 61.7 cm);6 9/16 in x 19 7/8 in (16.6 cm x 50.5 cm);13 in x 24 5/16 in (33 cm x 61.7 cm)

Credit Line
Museum purchase made possible by the Margaret Watson Parker Art Collection Fund

Subject matter
As the title suggests, the individual in this painting is a scholar. The scholar is leaning over some pages underneath what appears to be a Japanese pine tree. In this idyllic scene, the scholar appears to be engrossed in his work. Fans such as these could be used as symbols of status and occupation, most likely used as decoration. 

Physical Description
This is a fan painting painted with black, red, and light brown ink. The only figure sits in the middle, slightly to the right, underneath a tree painted on the upper right of the fan. On the far right side of the fan is a vertical inscription written in black and red ink. The man appears to be reading something and is wearing draping robes with a bun on his head. Beside him to the left is two little circles. 

Primary Object Classification
Painting

Primary Object Type
fan painting

Collection Area
Asian

Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.

Keywords
Figures
Japan
album leaf
calligraphy
fans (costume accessories)
pines
seated
trees

3 Related Resources

Ink and Realisms
(Part of: Artist Associations and Art Movements)
Japan Pax Tokugawa 1600-1868
(Part of: Empires and Colonialism)
Samurai
(Part of 5 Learning Collections)

& Author Notes

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