Artwork

『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』「蜂」「毛虫」|Paper Wasp (Hachi); Hairy Caterpillar (Kemushi), 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. This page from the Picture Book of Crawling Creatures is a woodblock print featuring detailed illustrations of insects and plants.

About this work

Overview

This page from the Picture Book of Crawling Creatures is a woodblock print featuring detailed illustrations of insects and plants.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a paper wasp and a hairy caterpillar on the left, and a flowering vine with a striped caterpillar on the right, showcasing the artist's attention to natural detail.

Technique & Style

Kitagawa Utamaro's use of simple lines and soft colors creates a delicate, realistic representation of the insects and plants, accompanied by neatly written Japanese text.