Title: Kan'non Bosatsu-Zō (The Twin Kannon Bodhisattva Statues), Circa 1700-1750. Two Early Edo Paintings Attributed to the founder of the Nakahashi Kano School, but with Unknown Artist Seals
Author: After Kano Yasunobu; Likely Another Kano School Artist
Condition: Very Good
An Edo Period, 18th century pair of paintings of the Willow-and-Moon Kannon, also known as the Yoryu Kannon, or Avalokiteśvara. Each painting displays the Kannon in a different scene, with one seated, and another of the Kannon standing atop a cloud.
One of the 33 different manifestations of Avalokiteśvara. Yoryu Kannon is the Bodhisattva of Compassion, its mission to save people from illness. It is called Yoryu Kannon because it holds a willow branch in its right hand. The Kannon is depicted in various cultures, and during the Goryeo Period of Korea has been depicted in paintings such as the Water-Moon Avalokiteśvara.
The paintings have a stated attribution to Kano Yasunobu (1614-1685), founder of the Nakahashi Kano School, with his signature and an artist seal.
Born December 1, 1613, in Kyoto, he was the third son of Kano Takanobu, adopted by Kano Sadanobu and succeeded the head of the Kano family. He was also the youngest brother of Kanō Tan'yū, one of the most prominent painters of the Kanō School's history. During the Kan'ei era (1624-1644), he established the Nakahashi Kano family in Edo as an inner palace painter for the shogunate. He participated in the production of wall paintings for the Imperial Palace, and during the Enpo era, as the highest leader of the Kano school, he painted the "Kensho Shoji" (Signs and Sages) in the Shishinden Hall. He passed away on September 4, 1672, at the age of 73. His other works include the sliding door painting "Seven Sages in the Bamboo Grove and Four Loves" at Gyokurin-in Temple, Daitokuji Temple.
Although the paintings bear his signature, the artist seals are ones that I do not immediately recognize. The paintings are certainly comparable in style to existing examples held in institutions and museums, as well as prior examples sold by other dealers, especially those sold by Matsumoto Shoeido. From the linework to the facial designs and nasal positioning, there are certainly similarities, but there’s just not enough for me to confirm more definitively. The more likely scenario is that a slightly later Kano School artist circa 1700-1750 produced these and signed them with his name.
Two hand painted hanging scrolls, 203 x 61 cm full size, 113cm x 46 cm for main painting
The paintings have been neatly mounted onto brocade decorated kakejiku (hanging scrolls), with jikusaki (knobs), though three of the four knobs have fallen off. There is a wooden box to accompany them, preserving the scrolls.
Two painting mounted on kakejikus (hanging scroll), 203 x 61 cm full size, 113cm x 46 cm main painting
These paintings are in very good shape, with some creasing to the paintings, and very light ink stains. There is very light worming, more to the upper mounting of the scrolls.