18th Century Nagasaki School Tiger Screen

Period: Edo
Size: 165 x 172 cm (65 x 67.7 inches)
SKU: PTA69

This exceptional 18th-century screen from the Edo period is a remarkable representation of the Nagasaki school of painting, which often featured exotic themes uncommon in traditional Japanese art of the time. With its two-panel breadth, this screen captures the raw power and majestic presence of tigers, animals not native to Japan but whose imagery was popularized through cultural exchange with neighboring China and Korea.

Intricately inked on paper, the tigers are depicted with dynamic energy and fierce grace, a testament to the skilled artists who created vivid and lifelike representations from their imaginations and secondhand accounts. The tigers, symbols of strength and courage, are set against a minimalist backdrop, bringing their commanding presence to the forefront.

This unique piece not only stands as an art collector’s treasure but also as a historical narrative that reflects Japan’s fascination with foreign wildlife during the Edo period. Its existence celebrates cross-cultural influences and the adventurous spirit of Japanese artistry.