Three Monkeys | Harvard Art Museums | KenAI

Three Monkeys

PaintingsJapanese

Three Monkeys

possibly 19th century

Artists

Unknown ArtistArtist

Mori Sosen 森狙仙Previous attribution

Description

In this hanging scroll, executed in ink and color on paper, three monkeys – two adults and a baby – sit gathered together on the ground amid a small cluster of sparse grasses and vegetation. The baby sits in profile and looks upward at one of the adults, who is likewise looking upward to the left. Another adult monkey sits behind the first adult, facing front, with its proper right hand resting on his companion’s shoulder. A dated inscription and two red square intaglio seals appear at the lower right edge of the painting.

Classification

Paintings

Medium

Hanging scroll; ink and light color on paper

Culture

Japanese

Period

Edo period, 1615-1868

Division

Asian and Mediterranean Art

Department

Department of Asian Art

Dimensions

painting proper: H. 77.5 x W. 47.9 cm (30 1/2 x 18 7/8 in.) mounting, inlcuding suspension core and roller ends: H. 176.2 x W. 67.5 cm (69 3/8 x 26 9/16 in.)

Provenance

Louis V. Ledoux Collection, New York (by 1948), by descent; to his son L. Pierre Ledoux, New York (1948-2001), by inheritance; to his widow Joan F. Ledoux, New York, (2001-2013), gift; to Harvard Art Museums, 2013. Footnotes: 1. Louis V. Ledoux (1880-1948) 2. L. Pierre Ledoux (1912-2001) 3. On long term loan to Harvard Art Museums from 1981 to 2013.

Related Artworks

Illustrated Events of the Twelve Months (Nenjū gyōji emaki), Vol. 1

Illustrated Events of the Twelve Months (Nenjū gyōji emaki), Vol. 1

Unknown Artist, 17th century

Handscroll: 1st of 2; ink and color on paper with gold patterns

17th centuryJapanese

The Ise Virgin's Visit (Episode 69) from the "Tales of Ise" (Ise monogatari)

The Ise Virgin's Visit (Episode 69) from the "Tales of Ise" (Ise monogatari)

Tosa School, Late 16th to early 17th century

One of twelve album leaves; ink, color and gold on paper

16th-17th centuryJapanese

Seven Chinese Immortals (left screen)

Seven Chinese Immortals (left screen)

Goshun 呉春 (Matsumura Gekkei 松村月渓), late 18th-early 19th century

Left screen of a pair of six-panel folding screens; ink, gold, and sprinkled gold on paper

18th-19th centuryJapanese

Monkeys: Mother and Two Children

Monkeys: Mother and Two Children

Mori Sosen 森狙仙, 17th-19th century

Hanging scroll; ink and color on silk

17th-19th centuryJapanese

Standing Shaka Nyorai (Buddha Sâkyamuni)

Standing Shaka Nyorai (Buddha Sâkyamuni)

Unknown Artist, Muromachi period, 16th century

Hanging scroll painting cut-down and framed under glass; ink, color and gold on silk

16th centuryJapanese

Go Game in the Pine Pavilion

Go Game in the Pine Pavilion

Oda Kaisen, 19th-20th century

One of two hanging scrolls (left); ink and light color on paper

19th-20th centuryJapanese

Sages playing Go by the Stream

Sages playing Go by the Stream

Kano Tsunenobu, c. 1683

Album leaf; ink, color, and gold on silk

17th centuryJapanese

Three Tartar Huntsmen Chasing Deer and Rabbits

Three Tartar Huntsmen Chasing Deer and Rabbits

Kano Dōun, c. 1683

Album leaf; ink, color, and gold on silk

17th centuryJapanese

Eight Views of Xiao Xiang

Eight Views of Xiao Xiang

Kano Tsunenobu, c. 1683

Album leaf; ink, color, and gold on silk

17th centuryJapanese

Album of Iconographic Drawings of the Esoteric Buddhist Pantheon (Shingon sect)

Album of Iconographic Drawings of the Esoteric Buddhist Pantheon (Shingon sect)

Unknown Artist, 18th century

Album; ink on paper

18th centuryJapanese

Illustrated Mirror of Emperors and Song of Everlasting Sorrow

Illustrated Mirror of Emperors and Song of Everlasting Sorrow

Unknown Artist, late 18th century

Pair of six-panel folding screens; ink, color, and gold on paper

18th centuryJapanese

Story of Sugawara Daijin, Vol. 2

Story of Sugawara Daijin, Vol. 2

Unknown Artist, Edo period, late 17th century

Second of a pair of thread-bound "Nara ehon" books with indigo-dyed paper covers; ink, color and gold on paper in indigo-wrapped case

17th centuryJapanese