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Snails
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In this work, Nagasawa Rosetsu carefully described two snails in a manner known as “earth painting” (<em>doro-e</em>), building up colors mixed with crushed white shells in emulation of the thick brushstrokes of oil paint seen in European painting. A silvery metallic pigment indicates the snails’ trails, glistening along an earthen wall. Notably, one trail has no snail, leaving the viewer to guess why.
| Artist / Maker | Nagasawa Rosetsu |
|---|---|
| Date | c. 1788–89 |
| Culture / Origin | Japan, Edo period (1615–1868) |
| Medium | Hanging scroll; ink, color, and metallic pigments on paper |
| Dimensions | Image: 114.3 x 40.6 cm (45 x 16 in.); Overall: 200.7 x 54 cm (79 x 21 1/4 in.) |
| Department | Japanese Art |
| Type | Painting |
About the Artist
Japanese painter, 1754-1799 Full biography →
Provenance & Source
Image & data: Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0 / Public Domain.
Condition
A detailed condition report and high-resolution photography are available from our specialists in advance of the sale.
Shipping & Collection
Fine-art shipping with climate control and full insurance to over 120 countries; collection by appointment.
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