Artwork
『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』 「ひくらし」「くも」|Evening Cicada, Higurashi; Spider, Kumo, 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 woodblock print is a page from 'Ehon mushi erami' (Picture Book of Crawling Creatures), created by Kitagawa Utamaro in 1788. It is a double composition featuring natural subjects.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts two scenes: a yellow flower entwined with vines, and a spider and beetle navigating tangled greenery. Japanese poetry accompanies the images on the left, contributing to the overall mood.
Technique & Style
Utamaro employed soft, earthy tones and delicate brushstrokes to bring the insects and plants to life. The plain background allows the lines and colors to take prominence.
History & Provenance
The print is now held at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Artist & collection
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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
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『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』 「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』「蚓」「こうろき」|Earthworm (Mimizu); Cricket (Kōrogi), 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)
『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』「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』 「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』「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』 「蜂」「毛虫」|Paper Wasp (Hachi); Hairy Caterpillar (Kemushi), from the Picture Book of Crawling Creatures (Ehon mushi erami)
『画本虫撰』「虵」「とかけ」|Rat Snake (Hebi); Lizard or Skink (Tokage), from the Picture Book of Crawling Creatures (Ehon mushi erami)