Immortals 1620s - 1630s

Hasegawa Sakon created this ink-on-paper screen, called "Immortals," in Japan during the early 17th century. At this time, the Kano school was favored by the military government. Hasegawa Sakon’s art, however, embodies the ideals of the independent artist. The monochrome ink wash and the theme of Daoist immortals are rooted in Chinese painting. We know that Zen Buddhism had a significant influence on the visual arts in Japan. Japanese artists freely adapted these conventions and created their own style, which was distinct in its refined simplicity. Sakon belonged to a generation of artists who saw themselves as the cultural vanguard, able to move more freely between different social circles. It helps to examine letters, diaries, and other documents from the time. It’s in this context that we can fully understand art's complex relationship to society.