Black Bull c. 19th century

acrylic

japan

possibly oil pastel

oil painting

acrylic on canvas

underpainting

painting painterly

animal drawing portrait

watercolour illustration

portrait art

watercolor

"Black Bull," a large-scale ink and color on paper painting, was created by Japanese artist Mochizuki Gyokusen (1834-1913) in the 19th century. The painting, which is currently housed at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, features a powerful black bull rendered in a realistic style with fine detail, emphasizing the animal's strength and presence. The bull is depicted standing on a light golden background, with its long, dark tail curling around its body. The painting embodies the themes of nature and animal power, showcasing Gyokusen's mastery of brushwork and ink techniques. The work is a captivating example of Japanese painting in the latter half of the 19th century.

Comments

minneapolisinstituteofart about 1 year ago

⋮

Oxen, one of the 12 kinds of animals in the Chinese zodiac, have been valued as beasts of burden in Japan since prehistoric times. After Buddhism arrived in the mid-6th century, oxen emerged as emblems of Zen Buddhism, particularly in the Ten Oxherding Songs, a series of Zen parables describing the disciple’s journey from initiation to enlightenment. Uniting the quotidian realism of Shijō school painting and elements of Western-style perspective and shading, this image conveys the powerful presence of the bull. The painting was perhaps commissioned by a lord or wealthy merchant in celebration of his cherished beast. Gyokusen enjoyed the patronage of the Imperial Palace and was key to the modernization of art in Kyoto and the founding of the Kyoto Prefectural School of Arts.