Art Whisper Open the appOpen app
The Big Snowman by Kitao Shigemasa

The Big Snowman

Kitao Shigemasa · 1759

Scroll
DETAILS
Artist
Kitao Shigemasa
Date
1759
Medium
Color woodblock print; mizu-e hosoban
Location
Art Institute of Chicago
Dimensions
31.7 × 14.5 cm (12 7/16 × 5 11/16 in.)
Collection
Arts of Asia
Culture
Japan
Credit line
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. James A. Michener
AUDIO DEEP DIVE

Stand in front of it and listen

The full narration walks you through The Big Snowman — the story behind it, the details most visitors miss, and why it matters. Free in the Art Whisper app.

Get the free app
0:00Preview · 0:30Free preview · 0:30 Hear the full story in the app
THE ARTIST

Kitao Shigemasa

Kitao Shigemasa, a prolific Edo-period ukiyo-e artist, was celebrated for his elegant 'beautiful women' prints and extensive book illustrations.

Read Shigemasa’s full story
KEEP EXPLORING

More works to explore

Beyond Shigemasa: works from the same years.

Head of a Child Same era · 1740s–1770s Head of a Child Jacques-Louis David · 1768 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art Portrait of Madame Anne-Jeanne Cassanéa de Mondonville, née Boucon (1708-1780) Same era · 1740s–1770s Portrait of Madame Anne-Jeanne Cassanéa de Mondonville, née Boucon (1708-1780) Maurice Quentin de Latour · 1752 · Art Institute of Chicago Thomas Hurnard (1711/1712–1753), Mayor of Norwich (1752) Same era · 1740s–1770s Thomas Hurnard (1711/1712–1753), Mayor of Norwich (1752) John Theodore Heins · 1754 · Norfolk Museums Collections Design for a Lampas Silk with a Triumphal Chariot on a Cloud Same era · 1740s–1770s Design for a Lampas Silk with a Triumphal Chariot on a Cloud Philippe de la Salle · 1765 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art Portrait of a Lady Same era · 1740s–1770s Portrait of a Lady John Smart of Ipswich · 1773 · Yale Center for British Art Medal cabinet Same era · 1740s–1770s Medal cabinet William Vile · 1760 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art Side Chair Same era · 1740s–1770s Side Chair Artist Unknown - The Mercat Cross, Aberdeen · 1750 · Art Institute of Chicago Hot milk jug Same era · 1740s–1770s Hot milk jug Höchst Manufactory · 1770 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Hear The Big Snowman’s storyFree in the Art Whisper app Open