Collection of Pictures 1615 - 1868

This 'Collection of Pictures' was made by the Tosa School with ink on paper. These botanical sketches offer a glimpse into the natural world, meticulously rendered with ink. Note how certain motifs, such as fruit and flowers, transcend mere representation; they are imbued with symbolic meaning. Consider the recurring motif of the eggplant: from ancient Greece where they were associated with ignorance, to their modern use as an emoji. This once obscure vegetable has traversed continents and cultures, its significance evolving with each iteration. This transformation mirrors the journey of countless symbols that have adapted and resurfaced in our collective consciousness. It highlights the cyclical nature of visual culture, where images are not static entities but dynamic vessels of cultural memory.