Toy Centipede
1866
Medium
Color woodblock print; surimono
Dimensions
12.3 × 9 cm (4 7/8 × 3 9/16 in.)
Classification
woodblock print
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
43532
Art Historical Context
Nestled in the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts of Asia collection, *Toy Centipede* is a delicate color woodblock print (surimono) from 1866, measuring just 12.3 × 9 cm. Created by an unknown artist during Japan's late Edo period, this intimate work captures a whimsical scene likely inspired by childhood playthings, evoking the playful spirit of everyday life amid a time of social transition just before the Meiji Restoration. Surimono prints like this one were luxurious, privately commissioned pieces, often produced for New Year's greetings or special occasions. Unlike mass-market ukiyo-e, the...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...