Monkeys in Temple Lanterns in the Snow | Mori Ippō | 1798-1871

Mori Ippō was a student of Mori Tetsuzan and was adopted by him, thus becoming part of the Mori family, which ran one of the most important painting schools in Kyoto in the 19th century.

The subject of monkeys finding shelter in temple lanterns is a rare motif, but one that fits well with the Edo period (1603-1868). This was the era of bourgeois art, and the bourgeoisie loved narrative. They also appreciated solid craftsmanship (which most art buyers practiced in some way) and tasteful presentation. Because the white silk mount, which clearly shows its age, complements the snow so well, it was not replaced with a more common beige or darker version, despite some minor flaws.

Monkeys were the main subject of the great animal painter Mori Sosen, whose grandson Mori Ippō was a pupil. The treatment of the monkeys is strongly reminiscent of this school founder; in particular, the delicate rendering of the fur and the loving drawing of the monkey faces far surpass the average level of monkey painting in Japan.