Courtier on horseback with attendant

This painting has the unusual feature of a fully painted border that intentionally imitates a conventional mounting assembled of several pieces of silk textile. The image shows a courtier dressed in traditional equestrian regalia who sits astride a rearing house. An attendant assists him in managing the horse. In the space above the figures is a painted square intended to resemble a decorated poem sheet to receive an inscription. Usually the inscription would be written by a calligrapher rather than by the painter, who is identified only by a signature and seal giving the personal name “Takaaki” or the alternative reading, “Ryusho.”

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Maker(s)
Artist: Takaaki (or Ryusho)
Historical period(s)
Meiji or Taisho era
Medium
Color on silk with lacquer jiku
Dimensions
H x W (overall): 178.8 x 35.5 cm (70 3/8 x 14 in)
Geography
Japan
Credit Line
Gift of Evelyn C. Lazzari in memory of Pietro Lazzari
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art Study Collection
Accession Number
FSC-PA-201
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Painting
Type

Hanging scroll

Keywords
attendant, courtier, horse, Japan, kakemono, Meiji era (1868 - 1912), Taisho era (1912 - 1926)
Provenance
Provenance research underway.
Description

This painting has the unusual feature of a fully painted border that intentionally imitates a conventional mounting assembled of several pieces of silk textile. The image shows a courtier dressed in traditional equestrian regalia who sits astride a rearing house. An attendant assists him in managing the horse. In the space above the figures is a painted square intended to resemble a decorated poem sheet to receive an inscription. Usually the inscription would be written by a calligrapher rather than by the painter, who is identified only by a signature and seal giving the personal name "Takaaki" or the alternative reading, "Ryusho."

Inscription(s)

1. (Ann Yonemura 6 February 1997) Signature (lower right) and seal (below signature) giving the personal name "Takaaki" or the alternative reading, "Ryusho."

Collection Area(s)
Japanese Art
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
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