Portrait of Kobo Daishi (Kukai)
Unknown
14th century
Medium
Hanging scroll; ink, colors, and gold on silk
Dimensions
129.7 × 116.8 cm (51 × 46 in.)
Classification
hanging scroll
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
11548
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...