Fanciful depiction of a cicada 1862 - 1900

This anonymous 19th-century watercolor depicts a cicada, a common insect known for its loud, high-pitched song. The artist has captured the intricate details of the insect’s exoskeleton with precision and a delicate touch. The yellow stripe across its back and the red compound eyes add a touch of vibrancy. This work, now part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection, showcases the beauty of the natural world in a realistic and captivating manner, illustrating the genre of nature art, popular in the late 19th century.