Camellia
Shôkyô
1870
Medium
Color woodblock print; surimono
Dimensions
8.8 × 13 cm (3 1/2 × 5 1/8 in.)
Classification
woodblock print
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
43304
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
This delicate surimono illustrates a single, elegant pink and white camellia blossom placed in a bamboo vessel. The technical quality of the print is high: Shokyo gave the vessel a three-dimensional feel with the skillful use of bokashi shading and emphasized the delicate colors of the blossom by creating a monochromatic background. The paper was treated with mica and glistens in the light. Shôkyo was also the host of this small gathering.