Preliminary Drawing of Three Deer Mounted on a Hanging-scroll Painting of Flowering Bush Clover 1700 - 1833

This hanging scroll, dated between 1700 and 1833, is a preliminary drawing of three deer by the famous Japanese artist Ogata Kōrin (1658-1716). The deer are depicted in a dynamic pose, their bodies seemingly in motion. The drawing is framed by a delicately rendered bush clover plant, a symbol of elegance and grace in Japanese art. This artwork showcases Kōrin’s mastery of ink and brushwork, creating a sense of depth and movement within the limited space of the drawing. The combination of the deer and the flowering bush clover reflects a common theme in Japanese art of nature and its beauty. The artwork is currently housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.