Album of Lacquer Pictures by the Venerable Zeshin 1887

Editor: This watercolor piece is called "Album of Lacquer Pictures by the Venerable Zeshin", created by Shibata Zeshin in 1887. It looks like a tiger climbing a rocky cliff. The composition seems so effortless, so economical with its brushstrokes. How do you interpret this work, especially in light of its medium? Curator: I see a deep engagement with the very properties of lacquer. Zeshin elevates what was traditionally seen as craft to fine art. His innovative use of lacquer to mimic watercolor challenges the hierarchical divisions of art and material, questioning what constitutes ‘high’ art versus ‘decorative’ craft. Editor: That’s fascinating. So you’re saying the choice of lacquer itself is a statement? Curator: Precisely. The process of working with lacquer is laborious and time-intensive, requiring specialized skill. Zeshin's work brings attention to this labor. It urges us to consider the social context of art production: who traditionally worked with these materials, and what value was placed on their labor? How did the traditional role of craft and its accessibility shape what could be created? Editor: I never considered how the material itself could carry so much weight – how it speaks to the artist’s process and even social class! Curator: Think of how the availability of materials impacts artistic choice. The consumption and acquisition of art also speak to the consumer culture. Can we consider how these works challenged consumer notions and social categories in Japan in 1887? Editor: Absolutely! Considering the laborious processes reshapes my perspective on the final artwork. It transforms my appreciation of its inherent visual message. Thank you! Curator: Indeed. By focusing on materiality, we see how deeply intertwined art is with broader social and economic realities.