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Utagawa Hiroshige 歌川広重

Sparrow and Spider (Suzume to Kumo)

Maker

Utagawa Hiroshige 歌川広重 (1797-1858, b. in Edo, Japan)
Gengyo Basotei (Japanese, 1817-1880)

Title

Sparrow and Spider (Suzume to Kumo)

Period

Edo Period

Year

1853.12

Medium

Materials/Techniques

Techniques

Materials

ink, color

Supports

Geography

Place Made: Japan; Place Made: Edo (location)

Dimensions

Plate: 21 x 11.3 cm (8 1/4 x 4 7/16 inches)

Signature / Inscription / Marks

Inscription verso, bottom center:MIC 65 [Japanese Characters] NL

Signature: Signed at right | Hiroshige; Signed at left | Gengyo; Right margin | Baisotei Gengyo

Seals: Artist's seal | Hiro | circular seal; publisher's seal | Yamaguchi han; censor's seal | aratame; date seal (Kaei 6, 12th month)

Credit / Object Number

Credit

Gift of Mrs. John D. Rockefeller, Jr.

Object Number

34.201

Type

Exhibition History

The Art and Design of Spider Silk
Sep 27, 2019 – Apr 19, 2020

Label copy

This work is a skillful example of polychrome woodblock printing, with multiple blocks used for each color. In Japan, spiders are often thought to predict the visit of a good friend, although in this image the spider appears to be the prey of both the swallow and the sparrow.

Image use

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Public Domain This object is in the Public Domain and available under a CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication

Tombstone

Utagawa Hiroshige 歌川広重 (1797-1858, b. in Edo, Japan)
Gengyo Basotei (Japanese, 1817-1880)
Sparrow and Spider (Suzume to Kumo), 1853.12
Polychrome wood block print
Plate: 21 x 11.3 cm (8 1/4 x 4 7/16 inches)
Gift of Mrs. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. 34.201

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