The Three Sages

Name: The Three Sages
SKU: 3886
Price: 90.00 EUR
Availability: InStock

Kakemono, unique work, 195 x 65 cm

Product number: 3886

Height 195 cm
Width 65 cm
Item Type Kakemono
Jikusaki Wood
Material Honshi Paper
Period of Creation Shôwa (1926–1989)
Technique Hand-Painted
Unique Work Yes

€90.00

Available, delivery time: 1-3 Days

Description

Closely gathered together and absorbed in animated exchange, this kakemono depicts three elderly, bearded figures – scholars or sages, as they were frequently portrayed in East Asian painting as a symbol of wisdom and shared reflection. One of the three points with outstretched finger at something outside the picture, while the others attentively follow.

The faces are executed with few but sure lines, giving each figure its own character despite the dense grouping. The coarse, energetic brushstrokes of the robes contrast with the finely drawn facial features and lend the scene a lively, almost humorous note.

Depictions of three sages in conversation with one another are among the popular themes of Chinese-Japanese scholar painting, celebrating the shared pursuit of insight and the friendship between kindred spirits. For collectors of East Asian ink painting with a philosophical undertone, this kakemono is a lively enrichment.

Frequently asked

When was the work created?

Based on the previous owners' information and the condition of the object we place it broadly in the Shôwa (1926–1989) period, but cannot give a precise date.

Is this genuine craftsmanship?

Yes, this piece is a genuine handcrafted original that exists only once.

Why does the date of creation sometimes not match the artist's dates

Because the two pieces of information speak about different things: the period designation describes the object – support, colors, condition – while the signature reflects which name appears on the painting. In most cases there is no attempt at deception behind this, but rather Japanese painting training: copying from workshop models was the curriculum for centuries, an utsushi is regarded as a bow to the teacher, workshops signed with the master's name, and artist names were passed down within a school. Such a hanging scroll is therefore not a forgery, but a hand-painted one-of-a-kind that continues the formal language of its school – just not the work of the famous name, and priced accordingly. We explain this in detail in the guide Why does a kakemono often bear the signature of an artist long deceased?.