The Daoist Immortal Liezi Flying on a Cloud 1513 - 1575

Kano Yukinobu painted this image of the Daoist Immortal Liezi with ink on paper, sometime in the 16th century. Liezi, a figure from Chinese legend, is here shown flying on a cloud, exemplifying the Daoist belief in harmony with nature. Notice how Yukinobu employs monochrome ink to capture the ethereal quality of the scene. The delicate brushstrokes and subtle gradations create a sense of depth and movement, drawing the viewer into Liezi’s transcendent experience. This work reflects the cultural and religious currents of Japan at the time, where Daoism was influential. Yukinobu, as a member of the Kano school, a prominent painting academy that served the military elite, would have been conscious of the social function of art, and perhaps sought to represent the appeal of Daoist ideals to a warrior class seeking spiritual solace. Further research into the Kano school, as well as period texts on Daoism, might shed more light on this painting’s significance. In any case, understanding the social and intellectual environment in which art is made allows us to appreciate its deeper meaning.