Various Moths and Butterflies 19th century

Kubo Shunman created this print of various moths and butterflies using ink and color on paper, sometime between the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The delicate portrayal of insects and the addition of calligraphy speak to the artistic conventions of Edo-period Japan, during which the rising merchant class were eager to display their refined taste. The act of image-making had become more commercialized, and the associated art market was thriving. It is important to note the role of schools and artistic lineages in shaping the production and reception of art in that period. The printmaker would have been keenly aware of the artistic traditions he inherited. The print incorporates a series of poems to communicate specific cultural references, and the insects themselves may hold symbolic meaning within the cultural context of Japan at the time. As historians, we might consult resources like Edo-period literary texts, collections of poetry, and records of artistic lineages and schools to better understand the cultural significance of this print.