Sketch for a Painting of Mi Fu Inscribing a Poem on a Rock

Art Historical Context

Kano Tan'yū (1602–1674), a master of Kano school, created this *Sketch for a Painting of Mi Fu In a Poem on a Rock in 1666 during Edo period (1615–1868). The Kano school, favored by the Tokugawa shogunate, bold ink lines with vibrant colors to produce decorative works for screens, scrolls, and castles. Rendered in ink and color on paper a hanging scroll mounted as panel, this preparatory sketch captures the legendary Chinese Song-dynasty poet, calligrapher, and rock aficionado Mi Fu (1051–1107) in a moment of poetic inspiration amid rugged mountains. Mi Fu's eccentric passion for ancient scholar's rocks—prized for their fantastical shapes—resonates deeply in East Asian literati culture, symbolizing harmony between nature and artistic genius. Tan'yū's composition evokes this with dynamic brushwork: fluid ink strokes for mist-shrouded peaks and the figure's flowing robes, accented by subtle colors for depth and vitality. Measuring 33 1/8 x 16 1/4 inches, the intimate scale highlights the sketch's spontaneity, a hallmark of the artist's process before scaling up to grand paintings. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Asian Art Department (gift of John and Lili Bussel, 1996), this work bridges Japanese Edo refinement with Chinese classical themes, underscoring the enduring cultural exchange that shaped East Asian art. Visitors will appreciate its lively energy, inviting reflection on creativity's timeless spark.

About the Artist

Kano Tan'yū (Japanese) · 1602 –1674

Japanese, 1602–1674