Kinderen bij een visnet

About this artwork

verzamelaarsmerk, onder prent, gestempeld: Lugt 2228

Art Historical Context

**Kinderen bij een vis (Children by a Fishing Net *Shibata Zeshin, 1888–1892, color woodcut, 242 × 251 mm* Step into the serene world of late Meiji Japan with Shibata Zeshin’s delicate color woodcut *Kinderen bij een vis*, depicting children gathered around a fishing net. Zin (1807–1891), a master innovator renowned for his lacquerware that mimicked paintings and prints, bridged traditional Japanese aesthetics with emerging modern influences. This intimate scene captures everyday childhood innocence, evoking the ukiyo-e tradition of "pictures of the floating world," though Zeshin’s refined touch adds a poetic, almost painterly depth. Crafted as a color woodcut—a pinnacle of Japanese printmaking involving multiple carved blocks for vibrant layers of pigment—this small-scale work (roughly 9.5 × 10 inches) highlights the medium’s precision and portability. Popularized in the 19th century, such prints democratized art, traveling globally and inspiring Western artists like Van Gogh. Created near the end of Zeshin’s life, it reflects Japan’s cultural transition during rapid Westernization. Beneath the image stamps a collector’s mark (Lugt 2228), signaling its prized status in European collections. This mark underscores the artwork’s journey from Edo-period roots to international appreciation, inviting us to ponder simple joys amid historical change. A gem for any visitor! (198 words)

About the Artist

Shibata Zeshin · 1807–1891

Japanese, 1807–1891