Painting on paper with ink. Japan, 19th cent.
A laughing bald-headed, full-bearded wise man, presumably an “immortal“ Chinese Xian. He wears a long Chinese robe and is leaning on a black stick. The little black cap on his head typical of the Chinese Taoists. The calligraphic script block left above was written by an expert hand, outer left presum. Signature, below two red seals. Two further seals on outer right, the upper one “Shi“, the lower “Ku“, last sign meaning “emptiness“, both signs would mean “the emptiness“. The question is still open if this only indicates a name or the picture content in a philosophical context. Old mounting.
KAKEMONO 176,5 x 41 CM, PICTURE 116 x 28 CM
From the private collection Robert W., acquired 1950´s - 1970´s