Who painted Portrait of Kō Sūkoku?

Portrait of Kō Sūkoku was painted by Tani Bunchō in 1817-01-01.

Where can I see Portrait of Kō Sūkoku?

Portrait of Kō Sūkoku is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Portrait of Kō Sūkoku?

Portrait of Kō Sūkoku is associated with Nanga.

Can I buy a print of Portrait of Kō Sūkoku?

Museum-quality prints of Portrait of Kō Sūkoku are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Portrait of Kō Sūkoku

Tani Bunchō , 1817

Portrait of Kō Sūkoku is an unspecified painting by the Nanga artist Tani Bunchō. It dates from 1817 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Technique & Style

Its formal qualities align with the portrait genre, emphasizing a representation of the sitter within a straightforward composition.

Portrait of Kō Sūkoku is an 1817 painting produced in Japan by the artist Tani Bunchō (1763–1841). The work is classified as a portrait and belongs to the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is housed. As a painting, it is executed on a flat support, though specific details of the technique, surface handling, or current condition are not recorded in the available documentation.

Its formal qualities align with the portrait genre, emphasizing a representation of the sitter within a straightforward composition.

History & Provenance

Created in 1817 in Japan, this portrait is attributed to the artist Tani Bunchō. The painting entered the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is currently held. No specific details regarding the original commission, the identity of the sitter beyond the title, or the intermediate ownership history between its creation in 1817 and its acquisition by the museum are provided in the available sources.

The records do not give an explicit inventory or accession number, nor do they list any exhibition history for the work.

Overview

The "Portrait of Kō Sūkoku" is a painting by the Japanese artist Tani Bunchō, completed in 1817. This artwork is presented on a hand fan, featuring a carefully rendered likeness of its subject. It is currently housed in the collection of The Cleveland Museum of Art, offering insight into early 19th-century Japanese portraiture and the integration of art into functional objects.

Subject & Meaning

The portrait depicts an older man, Kō Sūkoku, characterized by his shaved head and a gentle, subtle smile. He is shown wearing a dark robe accented with a blue collar, against an unadorned background that focuses attention on his facial features. This direct presentation emphasizes the individual's presence, typical of personal portraits intended to capture a specific likeness.