Who painted Portrait of Sugawara Michizane?

Portrait of Sugawara Michizane was painted by Yōgetsu in 1500-01-01.

Where can I see Portrait of Sugawara Michizane?

Portrait of Sugawara Michizane is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Portrait of Sugawara Michizane?

Portrait of Sugawara Michizane is associated with Joseon dynasty painting.

Artwork

Portrait of Sugawara Michizane

Yōgetsu , 1500

Portrait of Sugawara Michizane is an unspecified painting by the Joseon dynasty painting artist Yōgetsu. It dates from 1500 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

History & Provenance

The Portrait of Sugawara Michizane is a Japanese painting created by the artist Yōgetsu, who was active from the late 15th to the early 16th century.

The Portrait of Sugawara Michizane is a Japanese painting created by the artist Yōgetsu, who was active from the late 15th to the early 16th century. The work is dated to the year 1500. It is currently held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is cataloged under the accession number 2015.491. The painting was made in Japan.

The Portrait of Sugawara Michizane is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. The work is identified within the institution's records by the accession number 2015.491. Created in Japan around the year 1500 by the artist Yōgetsu, this painting serves as part of the museum's holdings of Japanese portraiture.

Context

Created by the artist Yōgetsu, who was active from the late 1400s to the early 1500s, the Portrait of Sugawara Michizane dates to 1500. This work is classified as a Japanese painting within the portrait genre. The piece is currently held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is cataloged under the accession number 2015.491.

As a product of early 16th-century Japan, the painting exemplifies the portraiture traditions of the period associated with Yōgetsu's career.

Legacy

Portrait of Sugawara Michizane, a 1500 portrait painting by the Japanese artist Yōgetsu, is held in the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is cited as an exemplary work of early Japanese portraiture and contributes to the study of Muromachi‑era portrait conventions. Its inclusion in the museum’s collection has made it a reference point for scholars examining the development of portrait genre in Japanese art, reinforcing Yōgetsu’s reputation as a master of ink wash portraiture.

Overview

This painting, titled Portrait of Sugawara Michizane, was created by the artist Yōgetsu in the year 1500. It is currently part of the collection at The Cleveland Museum of Art. The work presents a formal depiction of Sugawara Michizane, a revered historical figure, captured in a seated posture that emphasizes his dignified presence.

Subject & Meaning

The artwork centers on a seated male figure, identified as Sugawara Michizane, a prominent scholar and statesman from Japan's Heian period. He is depicted wearing formal, dark robes and a tall black hat, holding a fan in one hand. His face shows the subtle lines of age, conveying a sense of wisdom and experience. The plain background ensures the viewer's focus remains entirely on the subject's solemn demeanor.

Technique & Style

Yōgetsu employed a direct and impactful artistic approach in this portrait. The composition relies on simple, defined shapes to construct the figure, which is rendered with strong contrasts between light and dark tones. This dramatic interplay allows the dark-robed figure to emerge with striking clarity against the lighter background, enhancing the subject's visual prominence and gravitas.