Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a tempera painting by the Impressionist artist Shibata Zeshin. It dates from 1879 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1879, this untitled work by Shibata Zeshin is a small fan painting rendered in tempera on paper. The composition features two birds perched on a slender branch set against a luminous gold background. Though modest in size, the piece exemplifies the artist’s skill in integrating everyday objects with fine painting techniques.
Subject & Meaning
The focal point consists of a pair of birds, one turned toward the left and the other toward the right, as if mutually scanning their surroundings for potential threats. Their poised stance on the branch suggests a moment of quiet vigilance, inviting contemplation of the delicate balance between observation and danger in the natural world.
Technique & Style
Zeshin employed tempera, mixing pigment with a glue binder, and applied genuine gold leaf that had been finely ground and combined with the same adhesive. This method yields a radiant, reflective surface that has retained its sheen for more than a century. The delicate rendering of feathers demonstrates the artist’s mastery of lightness within the medium.
History & Provenance
The work was executed on a functional fan rather than a traditional hanging scroll, reflecting the Edo‑period practice of turning portable items into canvases for artistic expression. Its survival in good condition indicates careful ownership and preservation, though specific details of its collection history remain undocumented.
Artist & collection
