Liu Hai and His Three-Legged Toad by a Waterfall

Created:
Movement:
unknown
None
key Notes:
Mythological symbolism, Natural harmony.
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Dimensions:
medium:
Ink and color on paper
Difficulty:
Master
New game
story of the work:

"Liu Hai and His Three-Legged Toad by a Waterfall" is a notable work by Kano Tansetsu, a prominent Japanese painter of the Muromachi period, known for his contributions to the Kano school of painting. The artwork depicts the legendary figure Liu Hai, associated with wealth and prosperity, alongside a mythical three-legged toad, symbolizing good fortune, and reflects the integration of Chinese folklore into Japanese art, emphasizing the cultural exchange between the two regions during the period.

Description of the work:

"Liu Hai and His Three-Legged Toad by a Waterfall" by Kano Tansetsu features a dynamic composition that depicts the legendary figure Liu Hai, accompanied by a three-legged toad, set against a backdrop of cascading water. The painting employs a harmonious palette of muted greens and browns, with meticulous brushwork that highlights the textures of the rocks and foliage, while the fluidity of the waterfall contrasts with the solidity of the figures.

Artwork Photograph Source:
Harvard Art Museum

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Liu Hai and His Three-Legged Toad by a Waterfall