East Asian Paintings of Dogs and Cats

Finished

Dogs and cats, familiar animals to humans, have long been popular motifs for paintings in East Asia. They were often depicted not only for their adorable and comforting appearance, but also to express various human emotions, such as prayers for daily happiness, longing for foreign lands, symbols of authority, and social satire.

This exhibition will showcase a variety of animal paintings from East Asia, through dog and cat paintings produced in China, Korea, and Japan from the 12th to 20th centuries. Each of the dog and cat motifs, nurtured by the history and culture of each region, has its unique flavor. However, when they are brought together, we realize that there are commonalities in the individual motifs and expressions. These motifs tell us about the history of the reception of cultural relics in East Asia and were sometimes used selectively in the various backgrounds described above. They are also thought to have evolved in response to the ingenuity of painters who wished to express dogs and cats more lively and attractively, and to the voices of viewers who sought such expressions.

Enjoy the rich world of animal paintings that flourished in East Asia through a total of 63 paintings related to dogs and cats, including 5 Important Cultural Properties and 1 Important Art Object.

First Period: October 7 (Sat) - October 22 (Sun)
Second Period: October 24 (Tue) - November 12 (Sun)

Schedule

Oct 7 (Sat) 2023-Nov 12 (Sun) 2023