Quail and skylark c. 1796

This woodblock print, "Quail and Skylark," is a beautiful example of the work of the renowned Japanese artist Kitagawa Utamaro. Created around 1796, it depicts two birds, a skylark and a quail, amidst a delicate arrangement of plants and flowers. Utamaro's meticulous attention to detail is evident in the intricate patterns of the birds' feathers and the realistic portrayal of the flora. This work, now housed in the Rijksmuseum, showcases Utamaro's mastery of the "ukiyo-e" style, capturing the fleeting beauty of nature and everyday life in Edo period Japan.