19th Century Edo Period Japanese Silk Scroll of Haruki Nanmei

Description

A Japanese hanging silk scroll by late Edo period painter Haruki Nanmei (1795-1878). The gouache painting was in the tradition … more A Japanese hanging silk scroll by late Edo period painter Haruki Nanmei (1795-1878). The gouache painting was in the tradition of Kano school and depicts an old scholar dressed in long flowing robe, sitting on a Chinese style chair under a towering pine tree, and writing calligraphy on a fan. He was flanked by two boy attendants holding an ink stone and an additional blank fan. In front of the group, there sits an old woman with white hair. Identified as, she is a Japanese mythological figure associated with pine and longevity.
The artwork is signed Nanmei with a red seal. It comes with a wood scroll box with ink inscription of title on the lid and collector's note and inscription and seal under the lid. The image size is 42" h x 16" w.
Not much is known about Haruki Nanmei. He was active in the late Edo period and used many other artist names. His work is hold in several museums. For comparable work, see Museum number 1881,1210,0.697-698 in the collection of British Museum; Another figural painting with similar composition was sold in Christie's sale 9208 (15th September 1999) lot 233. less