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Youth as a Stand-in Monju

Suzuki Harunobu

1767

From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art

Romanticism 18th Century

Dominant colour

Youth as a Stand-in Monju is a 1767 by Suzuki Harunobu, a Romanticism work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.

Who painted this?: Suzuki Harunobu
When & what style?: 1767 · Romanticism
Where can I see it?: Cleveland Museum of Art

About this work

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).

The story of this work

Overview

In this image, a handsome young man replaces the Buddhist figure Monju, a bodhisattva—or enlightened being—often shown riding a lion. Monju symbolizes wisdom and customarily holds a sword and a sacred text atop a lotus flower. The youth here meditates instead on his tobacco kit and a long pipe. The print was once paired with another, showing a young woman replacing Fugen, a bodhisattva who rides an elephant.

Read the full account in the museum source.