Old Monk

With an alert, faintly smiling expression, an old monk in flowing robes sits depicted, a fan in one hand, while above him a poem in flowing calligraphy completes the image. The warm, slightly yellowed tone of the paper reinforces the impression of a work that already has a long history behind it.

Depictions of old monks or sages are among the classic subjects of Japanese ink painting and often stand for erudition, the wisdom of age, and a life of seclusion. The concise, confident brushstrokes in the face and in the folds of the robe testify to the practiced hand of a painter familiar with this pictorial tradition.

The textile mounting of this kakemono is comparatively recent, while the painting itself is considerably older – dating from the Meiji period – and shows age-related wear in the form of small spots; the original jikusaki are missing. The motif was painted by hand on paper. It is precisely this visible patina that makes this unique work an authentic testament to traditional Japanese painting.