Painting 1807 - 1891

This painting of an old man with a broom was made in Japan by Shibata Zeshin, who lived from 1807 to 1891. Zeshin was working at a time when Japan was undergoing rapid social and political change, opening to the West after centuries of isolation. This image creates meaning through visual codes and cultural references. We might ask what the social conditions were that shaped Zeshin’s artistic production. How did the institutions of art in Japan at the time influence the style and subject matter of his work? Was Zeshin self-consciously conservative or progressive in his approach to art? As historians, we might look to period documents, such as diaries, letters, and government records, to understand the context in which Zeshin was working. By understanding the social and institutional forces that shaped the artist and his work, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the meaning and significance of this image.