Procession of Insects 1834 - 1897

Editor: We are looking at “Procession of Insects,” an ink and watercolor painting from sometime between 1834 and 1897 by Nishiyama Kan'ei. The painting feels whimsical; it's full of small, carefully rendered insects seemingly carrying… a box? What strikes you when you look at it? Curator: What immediately draws my attention is the emphasis on process here. The use of ink and watercolor allows for a delicate, almost scientific depiction of each insect. It feels less about high art and more about a meticulous record, almost like an entomological study rendered with artistic skill. What do you make of that material choice, that pairing of ink and watercolour, to portray something seemingly trivial? Editor: It’s interesting, because it elevates what might be considered mundane—bugs!—into something worthy of artistic attention. The medium helps emphasize their intricate details. Curator: Exactly! And the procession itself…it makes me consider labor. These aren't idealized forms. We see a collective effort. It makes you question: What’s in the box? Is it a burden, or sustenance? Perhaps it hints at social hierarchies present even within insect colonies, a miniature reflection of human society through materiality. Notice also the background. How does it influence the interpretation? Editor: I hadn't thought about it that way! The simple background really pushes you to focus on the subjects and their actions rather than some broader narrative scene. It keeps returning to the question of what the box represents. I like your idea that it represents some labour burden, and all these tiny things become like the working class. It's something that can translate between cultures as well; almost universal. Curator: Precisely. And through this lens, "Procession of Insects" encourages us to reflect on the unseen labor that underpins so much of what we consume and experience. It prompts questions about value, not just in art, but in all aspects of production and existence. Editor: This has really changed how I view this work; thanks for opening my eyes to the materialist view, thinking about labor and the means of artistic production in society! Curator: And I appreciate you highlighting the universality of it. The painting reminds us to observe, question, and value all processes.