Eels 1890 - 1892

"Eels" (1890-1892) by Seki Shūkō is a delicate and detailed depiction of two eels intertwined, accompanied by a cluster of mushrooms, rendered in subtle shades of gray on a pale background. Shūkō, known for his meticulous attention to detail and the realistic portrayal of natural subjects, showcases his mastery of the *kanga* genre, a traditional Japanese art form centered on natural subjects. This painting, now housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, exemplifies Shūkō's ability to imbue everyday subjects with a sense of elegance and tranquility.