Deer, rear view 鹿 | Mori Ippō 森一鳳 | 1798–1871

In this painting, Mori Ippō is recognized as a grand-disciple of Mori Sosen. Sosen introduced a completely new understanding of nature into Japanese painting. The Kanō school, which had dominated painting since the 16th century, generally adhered to Chinese models in its depictions of animals—tigers and dragons were painted with the same sense of realism. Sosen, however, began painting animals as he saw them. He even spent extended periods of time in the woods to observe and study animals. (see image reference)

This deer by Ippō was created entirely within this tradition. The painter closely examined the deer’s back fur with its white spots. The fur’s texture is rendered with a lively brushstroke that seems to convey the artist’s delight in the fur’s splendor. The four-legged animal’s limbs are also anatomically accurate. Yet Ippō also seeks to express the deer’s grace, which he succeeds in doing with every single leg position. The animal’s head is also touching; you can sense how it is intently sniffing the air and focusing on something that humans can neither see nor know. With just a few strokes, susuki grass is hinted at, immediately evoking an autumnal atmosphere for Japanese viewers—a feeling that is also often associated in the West with deer and wildlife in general.