Wang Zhaojun and the court painter Mao Yanshou - d'après Kanō Tan'yū (狩野 探幽, 1602–1674) - Japan - Late Edo period
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Selected by Giovanni Bottero
Holds a master’s in Japanese art history with over 10 years’ expertise in Asian art.
Estimate € 500 - € 700
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This Japanese hanging scroll, in the style of Kanō Tan'yū, dates from the late Edo period and depicts Wang Zhaojun and the court painter Mao Yanshou in ink and light colours on paper, measuring 102 × 48 cm.
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Description from the seller
after KANŌ Tan'yū (狩野 探幽, 1602–1674)
Japan, late Edo period (19th century)
Wang Zhaojun and the court painter Mao Yanshou
Vertical painting, light ink and colors on paper, mounted as a hanging scroll (Kakemono).
Calligraphic poem in sinographic characters (*Kanshi*) in the upper-right portion.
Gourd-shaped artist seal (*Hyōtan-in*) at lower left bearing the mark “Morinobu” (守信).
Important narrative painting illustrating the famous historical episode of the Han dynasty:
The scene: The corrupt court painter Mao Yanshou is depicted seated on a pierced wooden stool, brush in hand, closely observing the reflection of the beautiful Wang Zhaojun in a rectangular mirror held by a young servant. On the left, Wang Zhaojun, standing in an elegant pose, adjusts the ornaments of her coiffure.
The calligraphic inscription recalls the tragedy and the painter’s corruption (“We do not seek the person; with Mao we seek only gold…”).
The gourd-shaped seal reading **“Morinobu” (守信)** corresponds to the canonical personal mark used by Kanō Tan'yū, the leading figure of the Kanō school in the 17th century.
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### **State of conservation**
Presence of horizontal rolling creases from handling, light foxing and natural paper oxidation related to age. Beautiful freshness of the ink lines and pigments.
---
### **Estimate**
* **Reserve / catalogue estimate**: **€600 – €1,000**
* **Potential value (if direct attribution is confirmed)**: **€1,500 – €3,000+**
after KANŌ Tan'yū (狩野 探幽, 1602–1674)
Japan, late Edo period (19th century)
Wang Zhaojun and the court painter Mao Yanshou
Vertical painting, light ink and colors on paper, mounted as a hanging scroll (Kakemono).
Calligraphic poem in sinographic characters (*Kanshi*) in the upper-right portion.
Gourd-shaped artist seal (*Hyōtan-in*) at lower left bearing the mark “Morinobu” (守信).
Important narrative painting illustrating the famous historical episode of the Han dynasty:
The scene: The corrupt court painter Mao Yanshou is depicted seated on a pierced wooden stool, brush in hand, closely observing the reflection of the beautiful Wang Zhaojun in a rectangular mirror held by a young servant. On the left, Wang Zhaojun, standing in an elegant pose, adjusts the ornaments of her coiffure.
The calligraphic inscription recalls the tragedy and the painter’s corruption (“We do not seek the person; with Mao we seek only gold…”).
The gourd-shaped seal reading **“Morinobu” (守信)** corresponds to the canonical personal mark used by Kanō Tan'yū, the leading figure of the Kanō school in the 17th century.
---
### **State of conservation**
Presence of horizontal rolling creases from handling, light foxing and natural paper oxidation related to age. Beautiful freshness of the ink lines and pigments.
---
### **Estimate**
* **Reserve / catalogue estimate**: **€600 – €1,000**
* **Potential value (if direct attribution is confirmed)**: **€1,500 – €3,000+**
Details
Dynastic Style/Period
Late Edo period
Artist
d'après Kanō Tan'yū (狩野 探幽, 1602–1674)
Country of Origin
Japan
Attribution
In the style of
Height
102 cm
Width
48 cm
Title of artwork
Wang Zhaojun and the court painter Mao Yanshou
Condition
Fair condition
Authenticity
Original/official
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