Album of Lacquer Pictures by the Venerable Zeshin

Shibata Zeshin

1887

Ink and color on paper with lacquer (urushi-e)

Minneapolis Institute of Art

A tiger is depicted emerging from a light-colored, abstract form. The tiger's head and front paws are visible, with its striped body and tail trailing. Trained as a painter, Shibata Zeshin also received critical acclaim for his lacquer designs. He championed a technique of painting with lacquer on paper and silk, a difficult process but one that gives an appealing luster to his renderings. Each of the six leaves of this album shows his masterly use of this unusual medium. Gallery Not on View Bequest of Richard P. Gale