Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a silver painting by the Impressionist artist Shibata Zeshin. It dates from 1882 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The juxtaposition of the living bird with the musical instrument on a reflective silver ground suggests a thematic interplay between sound, time, and presence.
Created in 1882 by Shibata Zeshin, this lacquer work on silver paper presents a still life composition featuring a rooster and a drum. The inclusion of these specific elements draws upon traditional Japanese iconography, where the rooster often symbolizes vigilance and the dawn, while the drum can represent ceremonial timekeeping or martial spirit.
The juxtaposition of the living bird with the musical instrument on a reflective silver ground suggests a thematic interplay between sound, time, and presence. As an album leaf, the intimate scale focuses the viewer's attention on the precise rendering of these symbolic objects within a sparse, evocative setting.
Technique & Style
Created in 1882, this album leaf by Shibata Zeshin employs lacquer applied directly onto silver paper as its primary medium. The work measures 12.1 cm in height and 8.9 cm in width, presenting a still-life composition that depicts a drum and a rooster. Executed in Japan, the piece demonstrates the artist's characteristic handling of lacquer on an unconventional support, merging painting techniques with the durability and sheen of lacquerware.
The formal qualities are defined by the contrast between the dark lacquer imagery and the reflective silver ground.
History & Provenance
Created in 1882 by the Japanese artist Shibata Zeshin, this album leaf features lacquer applied to silver paper and depicts a drum and a rooster. It currently resides in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The work entered the museum's holdings as part of the institution's Japanese art acquisitions; the specific accession or inventory number is not disclosed in the available documentation. Exhibition records for this piece are not listed among the cited sources.
Overview
Shibata Zeshin's Untitled (1882) is a painting rendered in lacquer on silver paper, presented as an album leaf. This still life composition features a rooster perched atop a large drum, captured with a sense of recent movement, its feathers appearing slightly ruffled. The artwork exemplifies Zeshin's distinctive approach to traditional Japanese painting, employing a challenging medium to achieve fine detail and a unique aesthetic.
Context
Zeshin's choice to depict a rooster aligns with a long tradition in Japanese art, with similar avian subjects appearing in works by artists such as Hokusai. However, Zeshin's method diverged significantly from these precedents. While other artists typically rendered such motifs using conventional brushes and pigments, Zeshin's innovative application of lacquer offered a distinct textural and visual experience, setting his work apart within the broader artistic landscape of the period.
Artist & collection
