Artwork

Sugawara no Michizane Praying on Mount Tenpai

Sugawara no Michizane Praying on Mount Tenpai, by Kobayashi Eitaku, unspecified, 1800
Sugawara no Michizane Praying on Mount Tenpai, by Kobayashi Eitaku, unspecified, 1800

Sugawara no Michizane Praying on Mount Tenpai is an unspecified painting by Kobayashi Eitaku. It dates from 1800 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston.

About this work

Overview

Sugawara no Michizane Praying on Mount Tenpai is a woodblock print created by Kobayashi Eitaku in 1800, blending traditional Japanese narrative and visual styles prevalent in late 19th-century art.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts Sugawara no Michizane, a Heian-period scholar and poet, in a moment of fervent prayer or song on Mount Tenpai. His posture, open mouth, and upward gaze convey intensity and devotion, set against a dramatic, spiritually charged backdrop.

Technique & Style

The work showcases Eitaku's use of chiaroscuro, evident in the contrast between the figure's detailed, shaded form and the luminous, cloudy sky with rays of light. Traditional Japanese attire and hairstyles are meticulously rendered.

History & Provenance

Created in 1800 by Kobayashi Eitaku, transitioning between ukiyo-e and nihonga styles, reflecting the artistic evolution of the late 19th century. Provenance details are not specified.

Context

This piece contextualizes the late 19th-century Japanese art scene's blending of traditional themes with evolving stylistic approaches, as artists like Eitaku navigated between ukiyo-e's decline and nihonga's emergence.

Legacy

While specific legacy details of Sugawara no Michizane Praying on Mount Tenpai are not provided, it contributes to the broader understanding of Kobayashi Eitaku's contribution to the transitional period in Japanese art history.

Izanami and Izanagi Creating the Japanese Islands
Izanami and Izanagi Creating the Japanese Islands, Kobayashi Eitaku

Artist & collection

Portrait of Kobayashi Eitaku

Artist

Kobayashi Eitaku

Kobayashi Eitaku (小林 永濯, 22 April 1843 – 27 May 1890) was a Japanese artist and illustrator specializing in ukiyo-e and nihonga.

Frequently asked questions

Who painted Sugawara no Michizane Praying on Mount Tenpai?

Sugawara no Michizane Praying on Mount Tenpai was painted by Kobayashi Eitaku in 1800.

Where can I see Sugawara no Michizane Praying on Mount Tenpai?

Sugawara no Michizane Praying on Mount Tenpai is held by Museum of Fine Arts Boston.