Spider and Web, early 19th century
Maruyama Ōshinexpand_more
Ink on paperexpand_more
Gift of Elizabeth and Willard Clark in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Minneapolis Institute of Artsexpand_more 2015.36.5
Not on Viewexpand_more
A spider, suspended by a nearly invisible thread, makes a cautious descent from its web. Maruyama Ōshin’s painting, an exercise in precision and understatement, is as finely wrought as the creature’s creation itself. Ōshin was the adopted grandson and pupil of Maruyama Ōkyo 円山応挙 (1733–1795), who pioneered a style of naturalism influenced by Chinese and Western painting. He was a skilled colorist, and was known for his finely executed landscapes and depictions of figures, birds, and flowers.
The subject of this painting may refer to a poem in the Chronicles of Japan attributed to Sotōri-hime 衣通姫, a concubine of Emperor Ingyō 允恭天皇 (412–453), who wrote of waiting for her lover to catch her in the night like a spider. Delicately rendered in ink on an otherwise untouched surface, this painting demonstrates Ōshin’s restrained touch and mastery of his chosen medium.
Details
- Title
- Spider and Web
- Artist Life
- 1790 - 1838
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- 2015.36.5
- Curator Approved
This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
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