Black Bear Cub, Mori Shūhō, 1799

Mori Shūhō (Japanese 1728–1813), “Black Bear Cub,” 1799, ink and colour on silk

لوحة بعنوان (شبل الدب الأسود) ، للرسام الياباني موري شوهو، رسمت عام 1799

Black Bear Cub, Mori Shūhō, 1799

Black Bear Cub (1799)

Artist: Mori Shūhō

Black Bear Cub in Snow (1799)

Shūhō Mori (1738-1813)

Ink and colour on silk

Ashmolean Advent Day 20 - A Bear Cub in Snow

This painting of a black bear cub in the snow is by Japanese artist Mori Shūhō. The small bear with blue eyes looks directly out at us as he sits uneasily on a ledge amid the snowflakes.⁠⁠

Shūhō was a member of the Mori school of painters who specialised in humanised depictions of animals. He was the elder brother of Sosen (1747–1821), the famous painter of monkeys. Though less well regarded than his brother, Shūhō was a respected and prolific artist in his hometown of Osaka. This painting is signed ‘hokkyō (Bridge of the Law) Shūhō', and was done before he attained the highest honorary rank of hōin (Seal of the Law). Shūhō often wrote his age after his signature, as done here, making it possible to chart his career quite closely. He painted this work when he was sixty-two.⁠⁠

This work actually comes from an album of paintings and calligraphy by various artists - an artistic trend which was popular in early-19th-century Japanese art. These albums were made for all sorts of reasons; to celebrate someone’s venerated old age, to wish a friend farewell, for an exhibition; or to commemorate a meeting or visit. 

⁠⁠Black bear cub, 1799. Ink and colour on silk, 28 x 23 cm.⁠⁠

Mori Shūhō

Frogs in Sumo Match, Mori Shūhō, early 19th century, Minneapolis Institute of Art: Japanese and Korean Art

seven frogs: two frogs at center engaged in wrestling match, with frog at L leaping with arms sprawled; frog at R rolling onto back with wide grimace on face; two frogs with worried looks observing at L; three angry looking frogs watching at R On a damp and rainy day, a bunch of frogs are enjoying themselves with sumo wrestling. While two frogs are engaged in a bout, other frogs are sitting on the left and right to watch them while they hold their big round bellies. Each frog expresses a striking individuality, creating a richly humorous impression. Personification of frogs in human activities has been used in Japan since the Heian period (794–1180). Size: 13 1/16 × 20 7/8 in. (33.18 × 53.02 cm) (image) 50 1/4 × 25 9/16 in. (127.64 × 64.93 cm) (mount, without roller) Medium: Ink on silk

https://collections.artsmia.org/art/118462/

Shūhō Mori (1738 - 1813), “Black Bear Cub in Snow”, Ink and colour on silk, 1799. Courtesy © Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford. #blackbear #orso #morishuho #japan #spettridelsollevante #sollevante #painting #japanese #allartiscontemporary (presso Ashmolean Museum) https://www.instagram.com/p/B8qefIiIZ2V/?igshid=aq91mp8gb4we

Ashmolean Advent Day 4: A Black Bear⁠

This painting of a black bear cub in the snow by Mori Shūhō was the first painting in an album of paintings and calligraphy, and was made when the artist was sixty-two. The small bear with blue eyes looks directly out at us as he sits uneasily on a ledge amid the snowflakes. His furry coat is painted with the skill befitting a Mori school artist.⁠ ⁠ Shūhō was a member of the Mori school of painters who specialised in humanised depictions of animals. He was the elder brother of Sosen (1747–1821), who was known as famous painter of monkeys. Though less well regarded than his brother, Shūhō was a respected and prolific artist in his hometown of Osaka. This painting is signed ‘hokkyō (Bridge of the Law) Shūhō', and was done before he attained the highest honorary rank of hōin (Seal of the Law). Shūhō often wrote his age after his signature, as done here, making it possible to chart his career quite closely.⁠ ⁠ Black bear cub, 1799 Mori Shūhō (1728–1813).⁠

Wildlife Day

Today is #WildlifeDay! Here are some little critters you might find in the wild from our collections. Which is your favourite?

A Cockchafer, Beetle, Woodlice and other Insects, with a Sprig of Auricula. Jan van Kessel I c 1650. Oil on copper.

Mycenaean Fox rhyton or drinking vessel, 1300–1190 BC. Baked clay.

Black Bear Cub in Snow, Shūhō Mori (1738 - 1813), 1799. Ink and colour on silk.

Painted shard depicting a horse, Tell el-Amarna, Egypt, 18th Dynasty (1550–1292 BC)

Ashmolean Advent: Day 3

#AshmoleanAdvent Calendar Day 3 Black Bear Cub in Snow

Painted by Japanese artist Mori Shūhō, this small bear with blue eyes looks directly out at the viewer while it sits uneasily on a ledge amid the snowflakes. Shūhō was a member of the Mori School of artists who specialised in detailed depictions of animals.

This work features in an album of paintings and calligraphy by various artists - a trendy practise in early 19th century Japan. Albums of these sort were often made to celebrate a birthday, mark a farewell or commemorate a visit.

Ink and colour on silk, 1799.