Silkies 1747 - 1806

Mori Sosen painted this image of silkies on paper, sometime between the mid-18th and early 19th century. Look closely at the ground of the painting and you'll notice it's actually made of many thin layers of mineral pigment, built up gradually to create an even, opaque surface. Over this, the artist laid his ink drawing, adding further washes of pigment to bring the birds to life. This methodical approach demanded time and skill; the artist had to know exactly how each layer would react with the others. The result is a triumph of both observation and patient labor. Sosen specialized in painting monkeys, and his commitment to careful observation suggests a broader interest in the natural world. Paintings like this one invite us to consider the labor and knowledge embedded in all works of art, and to reflect on the cultural traditions that underpin their creation. They challenge any assumption that fine art is somehow separate from, or superior to, other forms of skilled handwork.