What movement is Scene Inspired by the Scrolls of Frolicking Animals and Humans?

Scene Inspired by the Scrolls of Frolicking Animals and Humans is associated with Nanga.

Can I buy a print of Scene Inspired by the Scrolls of Frolicking Animals and Humans?

Museum-quality prints of Scene Inspired by the Scrolls of Frolicking Animals and Humans are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Scene Inspired by the Scrolls of Frolicking Animals and Humans

Tomioka Tessai , 1898

Scene Inspired by the Scrolls of Frolicking Animals and Humans is an unspecified painting by the Nanga artist Tomioka Tessai. It dates from 1898 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Scene Inspired by the Scrolls of Frolicking Animals and Humans is a 1898 painting by Tomioka Tessai, a prominent figure in late 19th- and early 20th-century Japanese art.

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts a lively scene of humans and animals interacting, featuring a frog on a table surrounded by a gathering of other animals and a person in the background.

Technique & Style

Tessai's work combines bold lines with soft colors, conveying a sense of playfulness. The strategic use of negative space enhances the dynamic movement and energy within the composition, characteristic of the nanga bunjinga tradition.

History & Provenance

Tomioka Tessai was a key figure in the nanga bunjinga tradition and an early exponent of the Nihonga movement, creating this work in 1898.