The signatures and red intaglio stamps that appear in the left and right corners of these brilliantly painted small-format screens read "painted by Kano Nuidonosuke Einō" and "Sansei" respectively. The character "San" (mountain) of the "Sansei" seal refers to Einō's father, Sansetsu (c. 1589-1651), whom he succeeded as the third head of the Kyoto-based branch of the prominent Kano family workshop. Arguably the most important family of painters in Japanese history, the house of Kano served as official painters for the imperial and military elite for more than four centuries. Einō not only excels in family style, but is also widely known as the author of History of Painting in This Realm (Honchō gashi), the first major history of painting written in Japan. His text, based on sketches by his father,
While the happy theme "Hundred Boys" first appeared in China during the Song dynasty (960-1279), these screens are indebted to prototypes from the later Ming era (1368-1644), when the subject also appeared widely on ceramics and other decorative art objects. The detail, variety, and large number of figures executed in high-quality pigments, along with other features of the screens' construction, indicate that the family that ordered them was aristocratic. They may have belonged to a bride's wedding trousseau, perhaps to inspire the creation of a large and joyful family.
                                
Discover more Old Masters in the following collections:
 The endangered swan, Jan Asselijn
The endangered swan, Jan Asselijn The mill at Wijk bij Duurstede, Jacob Isaacksz. van Ruisdael
The mill at Wijk bij Duurstede, Jacob Isaacksz. van Ruisdael Queen Elizabeth of Bourbon
Queen Elizabeth of Bourbon Flower arrangement, Jan Davidsz. de Heem
Flower arrangement, Jan Davidsz. de Heem A Amsterdam street scene - Adrianus Eversen
A Amsterdam street scene - Adrianus Eversen The goldfinch, Carel Fabritius
The goldfinch, Carel Fabritius Vincent van Gogh. Flower beds in Holland
Vincent van Gogh. Flower beds in Holland Jacob Maris - Fishing boat
Jacob Maris - Fishing boat The School of Athens, Raphael
The School of Athens, Raphael Almond blossom painting by Vincent van Gogh
Almond blossom painting by Vincent van Gogh The Mirror, Robert Reid
The Mirror, Robert Reid Portrait of a woman, anonymous - 1633
Portrait of a woman, anonymous - 1633 The Milkmaid - Vermeer painting
The Milkmaid - Vermeer painting Agapanthus, Claude Monet
Agapanthus, Claude Monet Vincent van Gogh. Olive orchard
Vincent van Gogh. Olive orchard Cypresses
Cypresses The Artist’s Garden in Giverny, Claude Monet
The Artist’s Garden in Giverny, Claude Monet The great wave of Kanagawa, Hokusai
The great wave of Kanagawa, Hokusai Italian landscape with pine trees, Hendrik Voogd
Italian landscape with pine trees, Hendrik Voogd Bouquet of flowers on white background (seen at VT Wonen)
Bouquet of flowers on white background (seen at VT Wonen)