Rice Plant and Butter-Burs 19th century

This print of rice plants and butter-burs was created by Kubo Shunman using woodblock printing. Its pale tones and intricate linework result in a delicate composition. The visual structure presents a complex interplay of organic forms. The curving lines of the rice stalks create a semi-circular frame, while the drooping head of the rice plant adds weight to the composition. Note how the leaves of the butter-burs at the bottom are arranged in a way that mirrors the rice, creating a sense of balance and visual rhyme. The artwork destabilizes the traditional hierarchy between foreground and background, by placing equal emphasis on each element. The interplay between precise botanical rendering and abstract spatial arrangement reflects the artist’s engagement with the philosophical ideas of perception and representation. In sum, Shunman’s print invites us to consider the delicate balance between representation and abstraction.