Artwork
『画本虫撰』「蓑虫」「兜虫」|Bagworm (Minomushi); Horned Scarab Beetle (Kabutomushi), from the Picture Book of Crawling Creatures (Ehon mushi erami)
『画本虫撰』「蓑虫」「兜虫」|Bagworm (Minomushi); Horned Scarab Beetle (Kabutomushi), from the Picture Book of Crawling Creatures (Ehon mushi erami) is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Kitagawa Utamaro. It dates from 1788 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
This page from the Picture Book of Crawling Creatures (Ehon mushi erami) is a woodblock-printed illustration created by Kitagawa Utamaro in 1788. It is a double-page spread featuring text and an image of insects and flora.
Subject & Meaning
The page is divided into two sections: the left side contains Japanese text surrounded by a floral border, while the right side depicts a horned scarab beetle and a bagworm amidst pink flowers and greenery, showcasing Utamaro's attention to natural detail.
Technique & Style
The image is characterized by realistic renderings of the insects and plants, with careful use of color and shading to create depth. The woodblock printing technique allows for intricate details and subtle gradations of tone.
History & Provenance
The print is part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, representing a significant example of late 18th-century Japanese ukiyo-e art.
Artist & collection
Untitled
Untitled
実競色乃美名家見 三浦屋小紫 白井権八|The Lovers Miura-ya Komurasaki and Shirai Gonpachi.
行水|Bathtime (Gyōzui)
名君 閨中の粧ひ|The Oiran Yoso-oi Seated at Her Toilet
Untitled
『五色染六歌仙』 在原業平と小野小町|“The Poet Ariwara no Narihira (825–880) and Ono no Komachi,” from the series Five Colors of Love for the Six Poetic Immortals (Goshiki-zome rokkasen)
風俗美人時計 子ノ刻 妾|Midnight: Mother and Sleepy Child
『画本虫撰』 「蝶」「蜻蛉」|Butterfly (Chō); Dragonfly (Kagerō or Tonbo), from the Picture Book of Crawling Creatures (Ehon mushi erami)
『画本虫撰』 「けら」「はさみむし」|Mole Cricket (Kera); Earwig, (Hasami-mushi), from the Picture Book of Crawling Creatures (Ehon mushi erami)
『画本虫撰』 「虻」「芋虫」|Horsefly (abu); Green Caterpillar, imomushi, from the Picture Book of Crawling Creatures (Ehon mushi erami)
『画本虫撰』「赤蜻蛉」「いなこ」|Red Dragonfly (Akatonbo); Locust (Inago), from the Picture Book of Crawling Creatures (Ehon mushi erami)
『画本虫撰』「蚓」「こうろき」|Earthworm (Mimizu); Cricket (Kōrogi), from the Picture Book of Crawling Creatures (Ehon mushi erami)
『画本虫撰』 「馬追虫」「むかて」|Katydid (Umaoi-mushi); Centipede, (Mukade), from the Picture Book of Crawling Creatures (Ehon mushi erami)
『画本虫撰』「きりきりす」「蝉」|Grasshopper (Kirigirisu); Cicada (Semi), from the Picture Book of Crawling Creatures (Ehon mushi erami)
『画本虫撰』 「蜂」「毛虫」|Paper Wasp (Hachi); Hairy Caterpillar (Kemushi), from the Picture Book of Crawling Creatures (Ehon mushi erami)
『画本虫撰』 「松虫」「虫蛍」|Tree cricket (Matsumushi); Firefly (Hotaru), from the Picture Book of Crawling Creatures (Ehon mushi erami)
『画本虫撰』「蛙」「こかねむし」|Frog (Kaeru); Gold Beetle (Kogane mushi), from the Picture Book of Crawling Creatures (Ehon mushi erami)
『画本虫撰』 「ひくらし」「くも」|Evening Cicada, Higurashi; Spider, Kumo, from the Picture Book of Crawling Creatures (Ehon mushi erami)
画本虫撰 バッタと蟷螂|Cone-headed Grasshopper or Locust, (batta); Praying Mantis (Tōrō or Kamakiri), from the Picture Book of Crawling Creatures (Ehon mushi erami)