The Four Accomplishments

This pair of screens shows a group of elite Chinese gentlemen and their servants in the countryside. One man is considering his painting in progress, while another looks on as two of his companions play a board game called qi, known in Japan as Go. Nearby is a table set with a selection of books ready to be read and a qin, a type of stringed instrument, still wrapped in its cloth case waiting to be played. The mood is one of enjoyment balanced with formality. Historically, playing the qin and qi along with practicing or admiring calligraphy and painting were considered four skills essential for cultured men in China.

A pair of six-panel folding screens depicts people with light skin tones in rocky landscapes with gnarled trees. One features a scene focused on the right where people seated on the ground play a game; others carry bowls from tables stacked with dishes and books. A child near the center peers down a crack in the ground. In the second screen people cluster to the left, gathering around a table where one person paints. In each screen, a child wears orange robes while the rest wear muted yellow or white.

The Four Accomplishments

late 1500s–early 1600s

Kano Shōei

(Japanese, 1519–1592)

Japan, Momoyama period (1573–1615)

Visually Similar by AI

Contact Us

The information about this object, including provenance, may not be currently accurate. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please fill out the appropriate request form linked below:

Update or Correct Artwork Information

Imagery or Rights for Non-Open-Access Artworks

Report a Website Issue

Further Questions About This Artwork

Artwork Page for The Four Accomplishments

Details / Information for The Four Accomplishments