Artwork preview

Bottom of the Sea Showing Cray Fish

Seki Shūkō

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The painting depicts a crayfish and a fish in the water. The crayfish is positioned in the lower center of the image, facing left. It has a long, segmented body with claws and several thin legs. The crayfish's body is primarily gray with some purple and red accents. Above the crayfish, to the right, is a fish swimming towards the right side of the image. The fish is mostly gray with white underbelly and small black eyes. There are some seaweed-like plants drawn around the crayfish. The background of the painting is a light beige color, representing water, with some wavy lines suggesting movement. There is a vertical line of Japanese text on the right side of the painting, accompanied by two red seals. The artwork is framed by a brown border.

Artwork details

Date:
ca. 1890–92
Medium:
Album leaf; silk
Culture:
Japan
Dimensions:
466 × 624 px
Museum record:
View original
Palette