Shō-Kannon c. 19th century

hanging-scroll

toned paper

ink painting

japan

handmade artwork painting

hanging-scroll

tile art

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watercolour illustration

pencil art

watercolor

This 19th-century painting by Suzuki Kiitsu, a prominent artist of the Edo period (1603-1868), depicts the bodhisattva Shō-Kannon, a central figure in Mahayana Buddhism. The painting features a serene Shō-Kannon seated atop a lotus blossom, surrounded by clouds, with a halo of light behind her. The intricate details and delicate brushwork, characteristic of Kiitsu's style, are evident in the figure's elaborate attire, the gentle curves of the clouds, and the textures of the rock formations. This painting exemplifies the artistic tradition of Japanese Buddhist art, showcasing the enduring influence of religious imagery in Japanese visual culture.

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minneapolisinstituteofart about 1 year ago

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Shō-Kannon represents the primary form of the bodhisattva of compassion. Seated on a lotus blossom, he holds a lotus bud in his left hand and his right hand forms a mudrā across his chest. Encircling Kannon’s head and torso is a moon-like halo set against a deep blue sky that recalls Kiitsu’s Moon and Waves, also in this exhibition. Kiitsu was part of the Rinpa school revival in Edo, which was led by his teacher, Sakai Hōitsu. Though the primary motifs of Rinpa painting are scenes from nature and classical literature, Kiitsu deftly applies the school’s graphic style to Buddhist iconography.