Kano Motonobu (狩野元信)

Kano Motonobu (狩野元信) was an artist documented as active between 1499 and 1600. The verifiable legacy of the artist includes fourteen paintings and one additional work represented in major international institutions.

The artist’s output preserved in these collections demonstrates a focus on both landscape and figure painting. Notable Kano Motonobu (狩野元信) paintings include the generalized Ink Landscape, as well as genre scenes such as Chinese Boys at Play. A recurring thematic focus is evident in the representation of nature, exemplified by multiple works titled Flowers and Birds in a Spring Landscape.

The enduring significance of these works is confirmed by their preservation across prominent North American museums. Works attributed to the artist are held in the collections of the Art Institute of Chicago, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Cleveland Museum of Art. Due to the antiquity of the artist's active period, many of these images reside in the public domain and are available as high-quality prints.