(Brown earthenware basins) 1887

Shibata Zeshin created this image of brown earthenware basins on paper, sometime in the late 19th century. The light paper and brushwork give the image a sense of lightness, yet Zeshin was deeply interested in the material world. Look closely, and you'll see a careful balance between representation and abstraction. The color palette is subdued, yet the forms are precisely rendered with subtle tonal variations. The overall effect is a refined appreciation for the everyday. Zeshin was trained in lacquer techniques, and brought an artisan’s sensibility to his paintings. He also had a keen understanding of the market; his work appealed to both connoisseurs and a wider public eager for images of modern life. Zeshin blurred the lines between craft and fine art, creating images that were both beautiful and deeply rooted in the material culture of his time.