Who painted Romance of the Three Kingdoms?

Romance of the Three Kingdoms was painted by Matsumura Goshun in 1849-01-01.

Where can I see Romance of the Three Kingdoms?

Romance of the Three Kingdoms is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Romance of the Three Kingdoms?

Romance of the Three Kingdoms is associated with Maruyama Shijo.

Can I buy a print of Romance of the Three Kingdoms?

Museum-quality prints of Romance of the Three Kingdoms are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Romance of the Three Kingdoms

Matsumura Goshun

Romance of the Three Kingdoms is an unspecified painting by the Maruyama Shijo artist Matsumura Goshun. It is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

"Romance of the Three Kingdoms" is a mid‑nineteenth‑century painting by Japanese artist Matsumura Goshun, dated 1849. The work is part of the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. It presents a quiet interior scene framed by a bare tree whose pink buds spread across the upper edge of the picture plane.

Subject & Meaning

Opposite him, a man in a green garment with a hood slumps on a low stool, his body leaning toward a small table, conveying fatigue or inebriation.

The composition shows two male figures seated beneath the tree. The standing figure, dressed in a blue robe and dark hat, adopts a rigid, cross‑armed posture, suggesting authority or contemplation. Opposite him, a man in a green garment with a hood slumps on a low stool, his body leaning toward a small table, conveying fatigue or inebriation.

The juxtaposition may allude to the contrasting characters found in the historical novel after which the painting is named.

Technique & Style

Executed in the nanga (literati) tradition, Goshun combines ink wash with subtle color washes, employing delicate brushwork to render the tree’s branches and the patterned mat. The muted palette, blues, greens, and soft pinks, creates a restrained atmosphere, while the careful rendering of objects such as the jar, bowl, and cup demonstrates the artist’s attention to everyday detail.

History & Provenance

Created in 1849, the painting entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection through acquisition in the twentieth century, though the precise path from Goshun’s studio to the museum remains undocumented in public records. Its presence in an American institution reflects the broader interest in Japanese nanga works that grew after the opening of Japan.

Context

Matsumura Goshun (1752–1811) was a leading figure of the Japanese literati school, which sought to emulate Chinese scholar‑painter ideals. Although the painting’s date post‑dates Goshun’s lifetime, it follows his stylistic legacy, emphasizing personal expression over formal realism, and often incorporates literary references, as suggested by the title’s connection to the classic Chinese novel.