Monkeys on Rocks and Trees 17th century

This is a two-panel screen depicting monkeys in a landscape, made in Japan by Sesson Shūkei in the 16th century using ink on paper. The artist's materials are simple. Yet the effects he achieves are sophisticated. Note the textures evoked, from the fur of the monkeys to the roughness of the rocks and trees. Consider too, the level of skill required to control the ink in this way. This wasn't just a matter of manual dexterity. Shūkei would have had to train his eye, mind, and hand, practicing this art form for years to master it. What we see here isn't just an image, but the result of a long process. So, it challenges the idea that art is all about the final product. Rather, it is about the journey of making and learning. This is what gives craft, and artworks like this screen, their enduring value.