Artwork
Lotus Root and Adder's Tongue
Lotus Root and Adder's Tongue is a drawing by the Romanticist artist Tsubaki Chinzan. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created around 1850 by the Japanese artist Tsubaki Chinzan, this drawing portrays a lotus root alongside a fern known as adder’s tongue. Executed in muted browns, beiges and greens, the composition presents the two botanical subjects with a restrained palette that emphasizes their natural forms.
Subject & Meaning
The work juxtaposes the edible lotus rhizome, often associated with purity and renewal, with the delicate fronds of adder’s tongue, a fern valued for its ornamental foliage. Together they suggest a quiet observation of everyday plant life, inviting contemplation of the subtle beauty found in ordinary objects.
Technique & Style
Rendered with gentle brushstrokes, the drawing employs soft shading to convey the texture of the lotus’s fibrous surface and the feathery leaves of the fern. The restrained coloration and delicate line work reflect a Romantic sensibility, favoring atmosphere and calm over precise scientific illustration.
History & Provenance
The piece is part of the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. It entered the museum’s holdings through acquisition in the 20th century, joining a broader assemblage of Japanese works that document the artistic transitions of the late Edo period.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Tsubaki Chinzan, originally Tasuku was a Japanese painter in the nanga style. His other art names include Hekiin Sambō, Kyūan (休庵), Shikyūan (四休庵) and Takukadō (琢華堂).
