Portraits and Poems of the Thirty-six Poetic Immortals 1674 - 1692

This album of portraits and poems was created by Sumiyoshi Gukei in the 17th century, using ink and color on paper. The delicate strokes of the brush bring to life these figures, each a member of the Thirty-six Poetic Immortals. Notice the careful application of color, with the details of the subject's robe, patterns created through layered applications of pigment. This reflects a deep understanding of the materials, and the way in which they can be manipulated to create subtle effects. But these are not only aesthetic achievements; they are also a testament to the social context in which they were made. The creation of such an album would have required not only the skill of the artist, but also the labor of papermakers, ink producers, and binders. The finished work would then have circulated among a cultivated elite, reinforcing their status and shared cultural values. By attending to the materials and making of this album, we can appreciate its full significance, seeing it not just as a work of art, but also as a product of its time and place.