Artwork
Youth as a Stand-in Monju
Youth as a Stand-in Monju is a print by the Romanticist artist Suzuki Harunobu. It dates from 1767 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- 1930.177
- Credit line
- Bequest of Edward L. Whittemore
About this work
The young man is actually a stand-in for a Buddhist figure named Monju, who usually holds a sword and a sacred text.
This painting shows a young man sitting on a lion. He's holding a tobacco kit and a long pipe. The young man is actually a stand-in for a Buddhist figure named Monju, who usually holds a sword and a sacred text.
The interesting thing about this painting is that it replaces traditional Buddhist symbols with everyday items. This swap gives us a glimpse into the artist's sense of humor and creativity.
You can learn more about this style by looking at the work of artist: Suzuki Harunobu (Japanese, 1724–1770).
Overview
Youth as a Stand-in Monju is a print depicting a young man seated on a lion, holding a tobacco kit and long pipe.
Subject & Meaning
The young man substitutes for Monju, a Buddhist bodhisattva typically shown with a sword and sacred text. The substitution of everyday objects for traditional symbols suggests a playful reinterpretation of the original figure's significance.
Technique & Style
The work is characteristic of a style seen in the output of Suzuki Harunobu, known for creative and humorous reimaginings of traditional subjects.
Context
The print was originally paired with another, featuring a young woman as a stand-in for the bodhisattva Fugen.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
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Untitled
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Koto from the series The Six Arts in Fashionable Guise