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This is one of a pair of screens that shows a group of elite Chinese gentlemen and their servants in the countryside. One man looks on as two of his companions play a board game. Nearby is a table set with a selection of books and a <em>qin</em>, a type of stringed instrument, still wrapped in its cloth case, waiting to be played. The mood is one of enjoyment balanced with formality. Historically, playing the qin or <em>qi</em> (a game similar to chess called <em>go</em> in Japan), and practicing or admiring calligraphy were considered three skills essential for cultured men in China.
| Artist / Maker | Kano Shōei |
|---|---|
| Date | late 1500s–early 1600s |
| Culture / Origin | Japan, Momoyama period (1573–1615) |
| Medium | One of a pair of six-panel folding screens; ink and slight color on paper |
| Dimensions | Painting: 153 x 358.6 cm (60 1/4 x 141 3/16 in.); Mounted: 174 x 378.5 cm (68 1/2 x 149 in.) |
| Department | Japanese Art |
| Type | Painting |
About the Artist
Kano Shōei (Japanese, 1519–1592) Full biography →
Provenance & Source
Image & data: Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0 / Public Domain.
Condition
A detailed condition report and high-resolution photography are available from our specialists in advance of the sale.
Shipping & Collection
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