Lacquer Paintings of Various Subjects: Butterflies

dated 1881

Not on view

The strong color effect seen in this album is achieved by using lacquer as a painting medium. Painting with lacquer on paper was one of the techniques Zeshin developed into his own style. Despite the heavy material, Zeshin's skillful brushwork and his technical inventions with the material made it possible to create various textures as with ink painting. In addition, some lacquer techniques, like mother-of-pearl inlays and the creation of rough surfaces, are also used. Up until the middle of the Meiji period, lacquer was limited to roughly five colors—black, brown, vermillion, green, and yellow—which determined the color palette of Zeshin's lacquer paintings.

Artwork Details

Title: Lacquer Paintings of Various Subjects: Butterflies
Artist: Shibata Zeshin (Japanese, 1807–1891)
Period: Meiji period (1868–1912)
Date: dated 1881
Culture: Japan
Medium: Lacquer and mother-of-pearl fragments
Dimensions: 7 1/2 x 6 1/2 in. (19.1 x 16.5 cm)
Classification: Paintings
Credit Line: The Howard Mansfield Collection, Purchase, Rogers Fund, 1936
Object Number: 36.100.111
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

By Shibata Zeshin

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Lacquer Paintings of Various Subjects: Plum Branch with Oil Lamp, Shibata Zeshin Japanese, Lacquer on paper, Japan — Lacquer Paintings of Various Subjects: Plum Branch with Oil Lamp
Shibata Zeshin
1882

Case (Inrō) in the Shape of an Ink Stick with Design of God of Longevity (Jurōjin), Reading beneath a Star Constellation (obverse);Twelve-Character Inscription (reverse), Shibata Zeshin Japanese, Roiro (waxen) lacquer with black hiramakie sprinkled and polished lacquer and takamakie sprinkled and polished lacquer relief; Interior: roiro; Netsuke: lacquer in shape of a worn ink stick; Ojime: black lacquer bead, Japan — Case (Inrō) in the Shape of an Ink Stick with Design of God of Longevity (Jurōjin), Reading beneath a Star Constellation (obverse);Twelve-Character Inscription (reverse)
Shibata Zeshin
19th century

Poem Card (Tanzaku) Box with Flower Bouquet, Shibata Zeshin Japanese, Lacquered wood with gold, silver, color, takamaki-e, hiramaki-e, and togidashimaki-e, Japan — Poem Card (Tanzaku) Box with Flower Bouquet
Shibata Zeshin
19th century

Rising Sun, Shibata Zeshin Japanese, Hanging scroll; ink and color on silk, Japan — Rising Sun
Shibata Zeshin
second half of the 19th century

Three Men Looking at Framed Lacquer Drawing, Shibata Zeshin Japanese, Album leaf; lacquer on gold paper, Japan — Three Men Looking at Framed Lacquer Drawing
Shibata Zeshin

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