Portrait of Bodhidharma (Daruma)
Print on paper (woodblock or lithographic reproduction) • Anonymous Japanese artist or printmaker, in the traditional school of Zen art depicting Daruma
Style & Movement
Japanese Traditional / Zenga-inspired art reproduction
Medium & Technique
Monochrome ink on paper, executed in a traditional East Asian calligraphic or woodblock printing style with strong contour lines and expressive brushwork
Creation Period
Likely 20th century (mid-to-late 1900s), reproducing a traditional aesthetic
Dimensions & Format
Vertical portrait format; approximately 12 x 18 inches (sight size), framed
Subject Description
The artwork depicts Bodhidharma (known as Daruma in Japan), the founder of Zen Buddhism. He is shown with characteristic exaggerated features: a bald pate, thick bushy eyebrows, piercing staring eyes, a heavy beard and mustache, and a single hoop earring. He wears simplified monastic robes rendered in bold, sweeping black ink strokes against an aged, textured paper background.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good condition; the paper shows natural aging, toning, and uniform yellowing with some handling marks, but the printed image remains strong and clear
Estimated Market Value
$100 - $300 USD
Auction Estimate
$50 - $150 USD
Provenance History
Unknown private collection; likely acquired as a decorative Asian art piece or souvenir mid-20th century, custom-matted with a decorative shell-pattern border
Art Historical Significance
Represents the enduring cultural and religious icon of Daruma in Japanese art, symbolizing perseverance, good fortune, and Zen spiritual discipline, though executed as a later decorative print rather than a historic masterwork
Notable Features
Distinctive decorative patterned matting featuring a repeating shell motif in green and gold tones, housed in a simple black lacquered wood frame
Condition Issues
Age-related paper toning, minor foxing spots, potential acid migration from the decorative mat board, and framing dust
Conservation Recommendations
Re-framing with acid-free museum-grade matting and UV-protective glazing to prevent further light degradation and paper embrittlement