Artist
Aigai(Japanese, 1796–1843)Japanese, 1796–1843
CultureJapanese
Titles
- Tiger and Bamboo
Dateearly 19th century
PlaceJapan
MediumHanging scroll; ink on silk mounted on silk
DimensionsImage: 38 1/2 × 12 3/4 in. (97.8 × 32.4 cm)
Overall (with roller): 79 1/2 × 20 1/2 in. (201.9 × 52.1 cm)
Overall (with roller): 79 1/2 × 20 1/2 in. (201.9 × 52.1 cm)
Credit LineMuseum purchase funded by The Mitsubishi Bank, Ltd.
Object number91.60
Non exposé
Explore Further
Department
Asian ArtObject Type
This painting may have been part of a pair depicting a tiger and a dragon. Tiger-and-dragon pairs were common, as together the two images represented opposing principles found in nature. The dragon represented water and the East, whereas the tiger represented wind and the West.
Though not found in Japan, tigers were a favored subject of many Japanese painters who regarded Chinese painting as their model. Aigai Takaku and other Japanese painters of the Nanga (Southern Painting) School were deeply inspired by Chinese painting and frequently borrowed images and motifs from it.
ProvenanceResearch Ongoing
Cataloguing data may change with further research.
If you have questions about this work of art or the MFAH Online Collection please contact us.
Jan Weenix
c. 1675
Oil on canvas
2001.82
c. 1570–1580
Painting on paper, laid down on green album page [recto], laid down on brown album page [verso]
2014.229.A,.B