Artwork

Mountain God with Tiger and Attendants

Mountain God with Tiger and Attendants, unspecified, 1874
Mountain God with Tiger and Attendants, unspecified, 1874

Mountain God with Tiger and Attendants is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1874 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The work depicts a tranquil mountainous setting dominated by sharply defined, dark rock formations and a few scattered trees.

About this work

History & Provenance

Mountain God with Tiger and Attendants is a painting created in 1874 by an anonymous artist. The work's inception is recorded as January 1, 1874, though the specific circumstances of its commission and early ownership history remain undocumented in available records. The painting is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is also located.

Context

The work was painted in 1874 by an anonymous artist, as documented in its Wikidata entry which identifies it as a painting held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Scholarship on the piece remains limited due to its anonymous authorship, though its classification within the broader corpus of 19th-century religious and animal subjects has been noted in museum documentation.

Overview

The work depicts a tranquil mountainous setting dominated by sharply defined, dark rock formations and a few scattered trees. A modest hut sits amid the terrain, while a small group of figures, standing and seated, observe a distant presence. The palette relies on earthy browns and muted golds, punctuated by darker outlines that define forms.

Subject & Meaning

At the center of the composition, a solitary figure, identified as a mountain deity, is accompanied by a tiger and attendants, suggesting a narrative of divine guardianship over the natural world. The observers’ attentive posture conveys reverence, emphasizing the relationship between humanity and the sacred landscape.

Technique & Style

The artist employs bold, simplified shapes to render the cliffs, giving the impression of swift sketches rather than detailed renderings. A pronounced chiaroscuro effect creates strong contrasts between light and shadow, enhancing the three‑dimensionality of the rocks and lending depth to the scene.

山水唐人物図屏風|Landscapes with the Chinese Literati Su Shi and Tao Qian
山水唐人物図屏風|Landscapes with the Chinese Literati Su Shi and Tao Qian, Nagasawa Rosetsu

Artist & collection

Frequently asked questions

Where can I see Mountain God with Tiger and Attendants?

Mountain God with Tiger and Attendants is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Mountain God with Tiger and Attendants?

Mountain God with Tiger and Attendants is associated with Japonisme.