Lacquer Paintings of Various Subjects: Grasshopper on Gourd Vine 1882

This 1882 lacquer painting, “Grasshopper on Gourd Vine,” by Shibata Zeshin (1807-1891) exemplifies the artist’s meticulous attention to detail. The delicate brushstrokes capture the intricate textures of the gourd vine’s leaves and the grasshopper’s delicate wings. Zeshin was a master of the *maki-e* technique, where gold, silver, or other materials are applied to a lacquered surface, resulting in a shimmering, three-dimensional effect. This small-scale painting, part of a series on various subjects, showcases the artist's mastery of nature's beauty.