Artwork
親鸞上人絵伝|The Illustrated Life of Shinran (Shinran shōnin eden)
親鸞上人絵伝|The Illustrated Life of Shinran (Shinran shōnin eden) is an ink painting. It dates from 1707 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This artwork, titled The Illustrated Life of Shinran (Shinran shōnin eden), comprises a set of four hanging scrolls.
About this work
Overview
Executed with ink, color, and gold on silk, these paintings visually narrate significant episodes from the life of Shinran, a revered Japanese Buddhist priest.
This artwork, titled The Illustrated Life of Shinran (Shinran shōnin eden), comprises a set of four hanging scrolls. Executed with ink, color, and gold on silk, these paintings visually narrate significant episodes from the life of Shinran, a revered Japanese Buddhist priest. The series serves as a pictorial biography, offering insights into his spiritual journey and historical context through its detailed visual storytelling.
Subject & Meaning
The scrolls meticulously chronicle the biography of Shinran, a pivotal figure in Japanese Buddhism. Beyond depicting his personal narrative, the artwork incorporates numerous figures and elements of everyday existence, such as various men engaged in daily activities. This inclusion of mundane details alongside the sacred narrative provides a broader glimpse into the social fabric and customs prevalent during the period it illustrates.
Technique & Style
Crafted on silk, the paintings utilize a combination of ink, vibrant colors, and gold accents, a common practice in Japanese narrative scroll painting. The artist demonstrates a keen attention to detail, evident in the precise rendering of architectural elements like buildings and the dynamic portrayal of animals such as horses. This meticulous execution contributes to the narrative clarity and visual richness of each scene within the four-scroll set.
Artist & collection
