Tops 1807 - 1868

This small painting, "Tops," was created by Shibata Zeshin, sometime in the 19th century. Its composition is immediately striking, presenting a constellation of toys against a shimmering, textured background. The arrangement of elements—two spinning tops and a stand —creates a visual rhythm. Zeshin's play with color, using bands of black, red, yellow, and green, animates the static toys with a sense of motion. The contrast between the matte colors of the toys and the luminous ground enhances the object's visual presence, pulling the viewer's eye across the surface. The toys themselves are not merely representations but symbolic objects. The spinning tops are dynamic, hinting at movement and change, while the stand, with its structured form, offers a sense of stability. Through these forms, Zeshin explores the tension between the ephemeral and the enduring, the playful and the structured. This tension encourages a dialogue between the artwork and its viewer.