Minneapolis Institute of Art

Monkeys Watching a Praying Mantis Catching a Wasp

Iwai Kōun

Date

second half 18th century

Medium

Hanging scroll, ink and color on paper

Department

Asian Art

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

Nothing is known about the painter Iwai Kōun except that he was born in Nagasaki, the only port town in Japan that allowed foreigners to trade and live there during the Edo period (1603–1868). Nagasaki paintings reflect the strong influence of Chinese art, which arrived there on merchant ships. On the right side of this painting, a praying mantis has caught a wasp and is about to kill it. A monkey in the tree above watches the spectacle, while he is observed by another monkey on the far left. Asia

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