Ono no Tofu Watching a Leaping Frog — Kitao Shigemasa

DETAILS

Artist: Kitao Shigemasa
Date: 1760
Medium: Color woodblock print; hosoban, mizu-e
Location: Art Institute of Chicago
Dimensions: 30.2 × 14.7 cm (11 7/8 × 5 3/4 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 Ono no Tofu Watching a Leaping Frog — 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.

Same era · 1740s–1770s Head of a Child Jacques-Louis David · 1768 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art

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

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

Same era · 1740s–1770s Thomas Hurnard (1711/1712–1753), Mayor of Norwich (1752) John Theodore Heins · 1754 · Norfolk Museums Collections

Same era · 1740s–1770s Portrait of a Lady John Smart of Ipswich · 1773 · Yale Center for British Art

Same era · 1740s–1770s Medal cabinet William Vile · 1760 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Same era · 1740s–1770s Hot milk jug Höchst Manufactory · 1770 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Same era · 1740s–1770s Side Chair Artist Unknown - The Mercat Cross, Aberdeen · 1750 · Art Institute of Chicago