Artwork
Rabbits
Rabbits is an unspecified painting by the Nihonga artist Ogata Kōrin. It is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Ogata Kōrin’s *Rabbits* is a mid‑nineteenth‑century Japanese painting that presents two white rabbits amid a dense arrangement of foliage and blossoms. The composition balances the lively animals with a background of muted brown, allowing the vivid greens, yellows, and browns of the plants to stand out. The work is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection.
Subject & Meaning
The scene captures a standing rabbit and a crouching companion, suggesting a moment of quiet observation within a thriving garden setting. The juxtaposition of the animals against the luxuriant flora may evoke themes of harmony between wildlife and nature, a common motif in Japanese decorative art.
Technique & Style
Kōrin employs layered brushwork to build depth, using subtle shifts of light and shadow that give the leaves and flowers a three‑dimensional quality. The palette of varied greens, accented with touches of yellow and brown, creates a rich texture, while the restrained brown ground provides a calm counterpoint to the lively foreground.
History & Provenance
Created in 1849, the painting reflects Kōrin’s continued engagement with the Rinpa tradition, known for its decorative elegance and revival of classical motifs. After changing hands through private collections, the piece entered the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains on view.
Artist & collection
Artist
Ogata Kōrin (Japanese: 尾形光琳; 1658 – June 2, 1716) was a Japanese landscape illustrator, lacquerer, painter, and textile designer of the Rinpa School.
