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'Hunting for insects', Japan, Edo period, c1768. A pair of lovers hunt for insects, probably fireflies or chirping crickets, on an early autumn night. A small cage stands ready on the ground while the young man searches through a plant of bush clover. He turns for a moment to exchange an intimate glance with the woman who wears an elegant kimono with a pattern of flowering morning glory. The black background must have been printed several times to produce the soft velvety depth against which the two figures and lantern stand out to such effect. Suzuki Harunobu was one of the first Ukiyo-e artists to develop techniques of full-colour printing from around 1765. He is already using the medium with great sophistication and delicacy in this print. He often echoes the courtly romance of the Heian period in his works, and here we may have a reference to a scene of insect-hunting from the "Genji monogatari" ('The Tale of Genji'). JA, 1945.11-1.08
#33011037

'Hunting for insects', Japan, Edo period, c1768. A pair of lovers hunt for insec...

A wasps' nest, a wooden netsuke, Edo period, Japan, early 19th century. A perfectly carved wasp alights on the nest. Subjects for netsuke became more and more diverse as the Edo period progressed. All kinds of insects, as well as spiders, were a popular subject. A netsuke is a toggle worn at the end of a cord. A purse or pouch would be hung from the cord. JA, F1084
#33011051

A wasps' nest, a wooden netsuke, Edo period, Japan, early 19th century. A perfec...

Serpents et papillons, 1670 Canvas, 70 x 55 cm INV 3711
#391901 1

Serpents et papillons, 1670 Canvas, 70 x 55 cm INV 3711

Nature morte au citron pele. Wood, 50 x 42 cm INV 1320
#39190146

Nature morte au citron pele. Wood, 50 x 42 cm INV 1320

La femme a la puce - Woman with flea. Detail of the dog. (40-08-06/24). Canvas, 54 x 40,5 cm R.F. 1970-40
#39191464

La femme a la puce - Woman with flea. Detail of the dog. (40-08-06/24). Canvas,...

La femme a la puce - Woman with flea. Detail. For overall view please see 40-08-06/24. Canvas, 54 x 40.5cm. R.F. 1970-40
#39191822

La femme a la puce - Woman with flea. Detail. For overall view please see 40-08-...

Fleurs, fruits, oiseaux et insectes dans un paysage avec ruines. Flowers, fruit, birds and insects in a landscape with ruins. Canvas, 99 x 84 cm INV. 1557
#40020229

Fleurs, fruits, oiseaux et insectes dans un paysage avec ruines. Flowers, fr...

The pond. Animals drinking, ducks swimming,a unicorn in the background. detail of 40-02-02/43. Canvas
#40020244

The pond. Animals drinking, ducks swimming,a unicorn in the background. detail...

Still-life with flowers and butterflies. Oil on wood (1600-1610) 59 x 99 cm
#40050460

Still-life with flowers and butterflies. Oil on wood (1600-1610)...

Jupiter, Mercury, and "Virtus". Jupiter creates souls - butterflies - by painting them. Oil on canvas (1529) 112 x 150 cm Cat. 511, Inv. 9110
#40070248

Jupiter, Mercury, and "Virtus". Jupiter creates souls - butterflies - by paint...

Amor and Psyche (detail), bozzetto for the Louvre marble (40-07-11/62).
#40071164

Amor and Psyche (detail), bozzetto for the Louvre marble (40-07-11/...

La femme a la puce - Searching for Fleas. Canvas, 54 x 40,5 cm R.F. 1970-40
#40080624

La femme a la puce - Searching for Fleas. Canvas, 54 x 40,5 cm R.F. 1970-40