Who painted The Eight Immortals of the Wine Cup?

The Eight Immortals of the Wine Cup was painted by Tani Bunchō in 1828-01-01.

Where can I see The Eight Immortals of the Wine Cup?

The Eight Immortals of the Wine Cup is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is The Eight Immortals of the Wine Cup?

The Eight Immortals of the Wine Cup is associated with Nanga.

Can I buy a print of The Eight Immortals of the Wine Cup?

Museum-quality prints of The Eight Immortals of the Wine Cup are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

The Eight Immortals of the Wine Cup

Tani Bunchō , 1828

The Eight Immortals of the Wine Cup is an unspecified painting by the Nanga artist Tani Bunchō. It dates from 1828 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

The Eight Immortals of the Wine Cup is a painting executed in 1828 by the Japanese artist Tani Bunchō. The work is part of the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, where it is displayed among the museum’s holdings of East Asian art.

Subject & Meaning

The composition centers on a single male figure, traditionally identified with the legendary Eight Immortals associated with wine in Chinese folklore. The portrayal emphasizes the convivial spirit of the mythic group, using the solitary figure to evoke the collective merriment of the eight legendary drinkers.

Technique & Style

Bunchō employed the brushwork and ink techniques characteristic of the late Edo period, blending delicate line with subtle washes of color. The painting reflects the scholar-artist’s affinity for classical Chinese themes, rendered in a restrained yet expressive manner that highlights the figure’s relaxed posture.

History & Provenance

Created in 1828, the painting entered the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection through acquisition in the twentieth century. Its provenance prior to museum ownership is not extensively documented, but the work has been recognized as a representative example of Bunchō’s engagement with Chinese literary subjects.