Artwork preview

Eagle Holding Small Bird

Kawanabe Kyōsai 河鍋暁斎

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The painting depicts an eagle perched on a branch holding a small bird in its talons. The eagle faces right with its head turned left. Its body is covered in detailed feathers rendered in various shades of gray and white. The small bird is mostly obscured by the eagle's talons. The branch is painted in shades of brown and white with visible brushstrokes. A red seal and vertical black calligraphy are in the bottom-right corner. The background is a mottled mix of gray and beige hues. A thin gold border surrounds the artwork.

Artwork Details

Date
ca. 1887
Medium
Album leaf; ink and color on silk
Culture
Japan
Dimensions
475 × 625 px
Public Domain
Yes
Museum Record
View original
Palette