Lotus Root and Rat 1817 - 1891

shibatazeshin

pencil drawn

photo of handprinted image

toned paper

light pencil work

yellowing background

old engraving style

coloured pencil

watercolour bleed

watercolour illustration

watercolor

"Lotus Root and Rat" is a hanging scroll painting by the renowned Japanese artist Shibata Zeshin, dating from 1817 to 1891. The painting depicts a single lotus root and a rat in a minimalist style, showcasing Zeshin's mastery of ink and brushwork. Zeshin was a master of the Rinpa style, known for its decorative elements and vibrant colors, but this artwork exhibits a more restrained approach. The use of simple lines and subtle shading creates a sense of quietude and elegance, reflecting the artist's appreciation for natural forms and the understated beauty of everyday objects.

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rijksmuseum over 1 year ago

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Shibata Zeshin was a successful lacquerer and print designer, as well as a painter. Here he created a simple, yet refined composition, with the tiny figure of the rat on the large lotus root. The animal’s fur is rendered with subtle brushwork, which like the colours and texture of the lotus root, was applied while the paper was still wet.