Artwork

Silkworms Put on Cocoon Frames

Silkworms Put on Cocoon Frames, by Jun Wu, paint, 1880
Silkworms Put on Cocoon Frames, by Jun Wu, paint, 1880

Silkworms Put on Cocoon Frames is a paint painting by the Chinese Orthodox School artist Jun Wu. It dates from 1880 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

Silkworms Put on Cocoon Frames is a painting from an album illustrating the silk production process.

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts silkworms placed on frames, typically made of reed or bamboo, to facilitate cocoon spinning without them falling. This scene represents a crucial step in sericulture, highlighting the careful handling of silkworms during cocoon formation.

Technique & Style

The work features a straightforward composition, emphasizing the silkworms and their frames. The use of chiaroscuro, a technique that utilizes strong contrasts between light and dark, is notable in this painting, contributing to its visual clarity.

Artist & collection

Artist

Jun Wu

Jun Wu’s paintings show women tending silkworms and preparing silk in the late 1800s.