Artwork
Ebisu
Ebisu is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1849 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
History & Provenance
The available sources do not mention any past exhibitions of the work, so its exhibition history is not documented in the cited material.
Created in Japan in 1849, this painting depicts the deity Ebisu. The specific identity of the artist remains unknown. The work currently belongs to the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is held under the accession number 2016.307.
No further details regarding its original commission, intermediate ownership history, or the specific circumstances of its creation are provided in the available records.
Ebisu is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it bears the accession number 2016.307. The work is a painting attributed to an unknown artist and was made in Japan, with an inception date of 1849. It is listed as part of the museum’s holdings and is located at its Cleveland campus.
The available sources do not mention any past exhibitions of the work, so its exhibition history is not documented in the cited material.
Overview
The work titled Ebisu depicts a solitary figure astride a stylised, oversized fish. The rider is dressed in a loose robe, a wide‑brimmed hat, and a red sash, while clutching a long pole that terminates in an arrangement resembling birds or a fan. The fish’s body undulates in a cloud‑like fashion, ending in a curled tail, all rendered with bold black outlines.
Subject & Meaning
The composition suggests a mythic or folkloric scene, with the rider possibly representing the Japanese deity Ebisu, traditionally linked to fishing and commerce. The juxtaposition of a human figure on a fantastical fish, together with the pole‑borne motif, may allude to themes of navigation, abundance, or the harmony between humanity and the sea.
Technique & Style
Executed in a graphic manner, the painting employs stark black contours that define simplified forms. The fish’s silhouette is rendered with minimal detail, giving it a sketch‑like quality, while the figure’s facial features are reduced to a few lines, conveying a serene expression. The overall aesthetic balances minimalism with a playful, almost cartoonish sensibility.
Artist & collection
- Ebisu
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