Artwork
Bodhidharma
Bodhidharma is an unspecified painting by the Joseon dynasty painting artist Unkoku Tōgan. It dates from 1600 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
The work depicts the revered Buddhist monk Bodhidharma, a central figure in Zen Buddhism, rendered with a serene and contemplative expression.
This ink painting, titled Bodhidharma, was created by the Japanese artist Unkoku Tōgan around 1600. The work depicts the revered Buddhist monk Bodhidharma, a central figure in Zen Buddhism, rendered with a serene and contemplative expression. Executed in ink on paper, the portrait exemplifies Tōgan's mature style, which emphasized a realistic approach to form and shadow. It is currently part of the collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Subject & Meaning
The painting portrays Bodhidharma, traditionally credited with bringing Chan (Zen) Buddhism to China. He is depicted with a long beard and a shaved head, characteristic of a monk, wearing a simple, flowing robe. His posture is calm, with hands resting at his sides, conveying a sense of deep introspection and spiritual focus. This representation aligns with Bodhidharma's historical image as a patriarch of Zen, embodying profound meditation and discipline.
Technique & Style
Unkoku Tōgan initially trained within the structured Kanō school before developing an individual style influenced by the ink-based realism of the earlier master Sesshū. In Bodhidharma, Tōgan utilized varying ink washes and lines to create subtle shadows on the figure's face and robe, imparting a quiet sense of three-dimensionality. The composition is spare, featuring the central figure against a plain background, complemented by lines of calligraphy at the top and a red seal at the bottom.
History & Provenance
Born into a noble family in Nagasaki, Unkoku Tōgan's career included service to Lord Mori in Yamaguchi Prefecture. He later embraced a spiritual path, becoming a Buddhist priest and abbot of Unkoku-an Temple, a role that likely informed his artistic focus on Zen subjects. This particular depiction of Bodhidharma, completed around the turn of the 17th century, is now preserved within the permanent collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Unkoku Tōgan (雲谷 等顔, 1547–1618) was a Japanese painter. He was born into a privileged family in Nagasaki, the second son of Hara Naoie, lord of Nokomi Castle in Hizen province. Starting as an artist of the Kanō school,…
