Fine Art Poster
From £28
A giclée print on 200gsm matte fine art paper, using a twelve-colour process for accurate, fade-resistant colour. Supplied unframed, delivered flat or rolled.
Portrait of Sugawara no Michizane (Kitano Tenjin) - Unknown Artist
Regular price
£28.00 GBP
Sale price
£28.00 GBP
Regular price
Archival giclée
Frames arrive ready to hang
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Made to order
Description
A traditional portrait of the deified scholar Sugawara no Michizane, depicted in formal court attire with his symbolic plum tree.
This work depicts Sugawara no Michizane, a ninth-century Japanese scholar, poet, and politician who was deified after his death as Tenjin, the patron deity of scholarship. The figure is shown in a formal seated posture, wearing the court robes of a high-ranking official. He holds a shaku, a flat ritual baton, which signifies his status within the imperial bureaucracy. The composition follows the conventions of nise-e, or likeness painting, which became popular in the Kamakura period for capturing the essence of historical figures.
Behind the figure, a screen or partition displays a plum tree, which is the primary iconographic symbol associated with Michizane. Legend states that his favourite plum tree flew from Kyoto to Dazaifu to join him during his exile. The inclusion of this motif serves to identify the subject immediately to a viewer familiar with Japanese hagiography. The drapery above the figure adds a sense of interior space, suggesting a formal setting within a temple or palace hall.
Technically, the painting employs a muted palette, typical of traditional hanging scrolls that have aged over centuries. The lines defining the robes are structured and angular, contrasting with the more fluid, organic rendering of the plum branches. The artist uses subtle shading to define the facial features, maintaining a dignified and stoic expression. This type of portrait was often produced for religious institutions dedicated to the worship of Tenjin, where such images were used for veneration. The silk support shows signs of age, which contributes to the subdued appearance of the pigments. The work provides a clear example of how historical portraiture in Japan functioned as both a record of an individual and a devotional object for religious practice.
Return policy
Because every print is made to order, we don't offer change-of-mind returns, refunds or exchanges. If your order arrives faulty, damaged or incorrect, we'll replace it free of charge — just contact us within 48 hours of delivery. See our refunds page for full details.
Shipping
We ship worldwide, printing at the production hub nearest to your delivery address. Delivery times and costs vary by destination — you'll see the options available to you at checkout.
Manufacturing
Each print is produced to order using 12-colour giclée printing on FSC-certified archival paper. Designed in Britain and printed at your nearest production hub to reduce waste and speed up delivery.
Complete The Look
Portrait of Sugawara no Michizane (Kitano Tenjin) - Unknown Artist
Regular price
From £28.00 GBP
Sale price
From £28.00 GBP
Regular price
Fine Art Poster / A4 (21x29.7 cm) / -
Artist Biography
Unknown Artist
Anonymity in art often stems from the loss of historical records rather than a choice by the creator. In 19th-century Morocco, early photography was frequently practised by visiting practitioners or local studios whose names were not always recorded on the final prints. Works by an Unknown Artist in this collection include Moroccan studio portraits and Japanese woodblock prints depicting the Battle of Pyongyang. These pieces illustrate how anonymous artists documented global events and personal identities across different continents during the same era.
The artistic approach of the Unknown Artist varies between the formal composition of the carte-de-visite and the narrative style of the war prints. In the Moroccan portraits, the focus rests on the subject's posture and attire against a neutral studio backdrop. The Japanese prints use bold lines and flat colours to depict military movements and naval victories. Despite the lack of a specific attribution, these works demonstrate a high level of technical skill in both lithography and woodblock carving.
Modern collectors often value anonymous works for their mystery and focus on the image itself. These prints provide a direct connection to history without the distraction of a famous name. They function as windows into the 19th-century world, from the quiet dignity of a young girl in a studio to the chaos of a distant conflict. These pieces offer a sense of discovery for those who appreciate the aesthetic qualities of vintage photography and historical illustration.
The artistic approach of the Unknown Artist varies between the formal composition of the carte-de-visite and the narrative style of the war prints. In the Moroccan portraits, the focus rests on the subject's posture and attire against a neutral studio backdrop. The Japanese prints use bold lines and flat colours to depict military movements and naval victories. Despite the lack of a specific attribution, these works demonstrate a high level of technical skill in both lithography and woodblock carving.
Modern collectors often value anonymous works for their mystery and focus on the image itself. These prints provide a direct connection to history without the distraction of a famous name. They function as windows into the 19th-century world, from the quiet dignity of a young girl in a studio to the chaos of a distant conflict. These pieces offer a sense of discovery for those who appreciate the aesthetic qualities of vintage photography and historical illustration.
Our Features
Designed for Lasting Impact
Specific Features
Every Solis piece is made to order with archival, gallery-quality materials built to last.
- Museum-grade giclée printing for rich, fade-resistant colour
- Archival matte fine-art paper, FSC-certified
- Multiple sizes and framing options available
- Frames in black, natural wood, dark wood or white
- Framed prints arrive ready to hang
Care & Cleaning
To keep your artwork looking its best:
- Dust gently with a soft, dry cloth
- Avoid prolonged direct sunlight
- Never use liquid cleaners on the print or canvas surface
- Keep in a dry, room-temperature space
- Handle prints with clean, dry hands
Materials & Sizing
Museum-grade giclée on FSC-certified archival matte paper, with framed and canvas options.
- Paper sizes: A4, A3, A2, A1, A0 and B2 (50×70 cm)
- Canvas: XS (20×30 cm) to Large (60×90 cm)
- Frames: black, natural wood, dark wood or white
Made to order
Choose your finish
Every piece is printed to order. These are the five finishes, and what makes each one different.
Fine Art Framed
From £45
The same fine art print in a solid wood frame with UV-protective acrylic glaze and rigid backing. Five frame colours. Arrives ready to hang.
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Museum-Quality Materials
Artist Biography
Unknown Artist
Anonymity in art often stems from the loss of historical records rather than a choice by the creator. In 19th-century Morocco, early photography was frequently practised by visiting practitioners or local studios whose names were not always recorded on the final prints. Works by an Unknown Artist in this collection include Moroccan studio portraits and Japanese woodblock prints depicting the Battle of Pyongyang. These pieces illustrate how anonymous artists documented global events and personal identities across different continents during the same era.
The artistic approach of the Unknown Artist varies between the formal composition of the carte-de-visite and the narrative style of the war prints. In the Moroccan portraits, the focus rests on the subject's posture and attire against a neutral studio backdrop. The Japanese prints use bold lines and flat colours to depict military movements and naval victories. Despite the lack of a specific attribution, these works demonstrate a high level of technical skill in both lithography and woodblock carving.
Modern collectors often value anonymous works for their mystery and focus on the image itself. These prints provide a direct connection to history without the distraction of a famous name. They function as windows into the 19th-century world, from the quiet dignity of a young girl in a studio to the chaos of a distant conflict. These pieces offer a sense of discovery for those who appreciate the aesthetic qualities of vintage photography and historical illustration.
The artistic approach of the Unknown Artist varies between the formal composition of the carte-de-visite and the narrative style of the war prints. In the Moroccan portraits, the focus rests on the subject's posture and attire against a neutral studio backdrop. The Japanese prints use bold lines and flat colours to depict military movements and naval victories. Despite the lack of a specific attribution, these works demonstrate a high level of technical skill in both lithography and woodblock carving.
Modern collectors often value anonymous works for their mystery and focus on the image itself. These prints provide a direct connection to history without the distraction of a famous name. They function as windows into the 19th-century world, from the quiet dignity of a young girl in a studio to the chaos of a distant conflict. These pieces offer a sense of discovery for those who appreciate the aesthetic qualities of vintage photography and historical illustration.
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