Squirrel Eating Chestnuts 1887 - 1892

"Squirrel Eating Chestnuts" is a 19th-century ink-on-paper painting by Japanese artist Kawabata Gyokushō, known for his detailed and realistic depictions of nature. The painting depicts a squirrel with a bushy tail sitting on its haunches, intently focusing on a chestnut it is holding in its paws. The composition is simple yet elegant, with the squirrel placed against a plain background, highlighting its delicate features and the artist’s skilled brushstrokes. This artwork, part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, exemplifies Gyokushō’s mastery of capturing the essence of nature in his art, offering a glimpse into Japanese animal painting during the Meiji period.