Lacquer Paintings of Various Subjects: Bonsai

1882

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

Object Information

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Provenance

Exhibition History

Title: Lacquer Paintings of Various Subjects: Bonsai
Artist: Shibata Zeshin (Japanese, 1807–1891)
Period: Meiji period (1868–1912)
Date: 1882
Culture: Japan
Medium: Lacquer on paper
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: 36.100.102
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

By Shibata Zeshin

In the same medium

From the same time and place

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) with Design of Demon in Escape, Shibata Zeshin Japanese, Gold, silver, red, and black hiramaki-e, takamaki-e, mother-of-pearl inlay on bamboo; interior: plain wood, drawers, Japan — Case (Inrō) with Design of Demon in Escape
In the style of Shibata Zeshin
19th century

Armor (<i>Gusoku</i>), Saotome Ietada Japanese, Iron, lacquer, silk, gilt copper, Japanese — Armor (*Gusoku*)
Armorer Helmet bowl signed Saotome Ietada
Armorer Breastplate inscribed inside, Myōchin Munesuke
16th and 18th centuries

Royal processions, ceremonies and entertainments, Court of King Mindon or Thibaw, or associated workshops Burmese, Watercolor and gold on mulberry paper, with gilt lacquered wood covers and cloth lined box, Burma — Royal processions, ceremonies and entertainments
Court of King Mindon or Thibaw, or associated workshops
1870s–1880s

Box, Shibata Zeshin Japanese, Lacquer, Japan — Box
Shibata Zeshin
19th century

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