Scholar Greets a Magician c. 1800

This ink-on-paper painting called "Scholar Greets a Magician" was made by Shōdō, though we don't have exact dates for when it was created. The materials used here, ink and paper, are quite traditional. The ink is applied with great economy, yet it beautifully articulates the figures, their garments, and the relationship between them. With the quick strokes, it creates something from almost nothing. The very act of painting becomes a kind of magical transformation. Consider the work that goes into making the paper itself, and the skills required for calligraphy and brushwork. When you consider all the different levels of labor, both mental and physical, that have gone into it, it is a very rich object. Next time you're looking at what may seem like a simple drawing or painting, I hope you'll remember to consider the many skilled processes that have shaped it.