Gamboling Puppies 1779

"Gamboling Puppies" was created by Maruyama Ōkyo in the 18th century, using ink and color on paper. Ōkyo lived during the Edo period, a time of relative peace and isolation in Japan, which fostered a unique cultural identity. Ōkyo sought to combine Western naturalism with traditional Japanese painting, a reflection of Japan's increasing engagement with the world. He broke from traditional art academies, a move that resonates with the challenges artists face when balancing respect for tradition with the need for innovation. Here, the puppies are rendered with an intimate and tender realism. The choice of puppies as a subject matter is a deliberate one: dogs were associated with loyalty and protection, and their playful nature would have been seen as a reflection of innocence and purity. While it is easy to see them merely as cute, they also serve as symbols, touching on themes of social harmony. The pups offer a gentle perspective, allowing us to reflect on the relationship between societal values and personal expression.