Artwork preview

Pheasant Caught by a Snake

Kawanabe Kyōsai 河鍋暁斎

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The painting depicts a pheasant caught by a snake. The pheasant is on the left side of the image, facing left. It has a black head and neck with a red face. Its body is covered in white and brown feathers with intricate patterns. The pheasant's tail feathers are spread out behind it. A snake wraps around the pheasant's body, its head not visible. The background is a light brown color with some grass and bamboo leaves. There are Japanese characters written vertically on the top left side of the image, accompanied by a red seal. The artwork is framed with a thin gold border.

Artwork Details

Date
ca. 1887
Medium
Album leaf; ink and color on silk
Culture
Japan
Dimensions
482 × 624 px
Public Domain
Yes
Museum Record
View original
Palette