Image

RISDM 34-201.tif
Previous 1 2 / 2 Next

Utagawa Hiroshige 歌川広重

Sparrow and Spider (Suzume to Kumo)

Description

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

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.

Use & Feedback

Image use

The images on this website can enable discovery and collaboration and support new scholarship, and we encourage their use.

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

To request new photography, please send an email to imagerequest@risd.edu and include your name and the object's accession number.