Young Man Seated on an Ox 1765

"Young Man Seated on an Ox" is a 1765 woodblock print by the Japanese artist Shichû. The print depicts a young man in traditional clothing, seated on a reclining ox, with a flowing river in the foreground. This work, now housed in the Art Institute of Chicago, is a testament to the detailed style of Japanese woodblock prints. The use of fine lines and subtle shading captures the textures of the clothing and the ox's fur. The scene's simplicity, along with the use of negative space, highlights the figure and the ox, creating a serene and visually appealing composition. This print showcases Shichû's skill in capturing the essence of Japanese aesthetics, emphasizing the beauty of the natural world and the refined elegance of human figures.