Monkeys Watching a Praying Mantis Catching a Wasp by Iwai Kōun

Monkeys Watching a Praying Mantis Catching a Wasp c. 18th century

painting, paper, watercolor, ink

water colours

painting

asian-art

landscape

ukiyo-e

japan

figuration

paper

watercolor

ink

coloured pencil

orientalism

genre-painting

mixed media

Iwai Kōun's "Monkeys Watching a Praying Mantis Catching a Wasp" (c. 18th century) is a captivating Japanese painting showcasing a peaceful woodland scene. Two monkeys, one perched high in a tree and the other seated on a rock, observe a mantis capturing a wasp in mid-air. This playful and humorous depiction of nature's dynamics is a hallmark of Kōun's artistic style, known for its detailed brushwork and vivid portrayal of animals in their natural habitats. The painting, housed at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, is a testament to the beauty and tranquility of the natural world.

Comments

minneapolisinstituteofart about 1 year ago

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Nothing is known about the painter Iwai Kōun except that he was born in Nagasaki, the only port town in Japan that allowed foreigners to trade and live there during the Edo period (1603–1868). Nagasaki paintings reflect the strong influence of Chinese art, which arrived there on merchant ships. On the right side of this painting, a praying mantis has caught a wasp and is about to kill it. A monkey in the tree above watches the spectacle, while he is observed by another monkey on the far left.