Squirrel Eating Chestnuts

Kawabata Gyokushō, a painter associated with the Maruyama school, captures a moment of quiet industry in "Squirrel Eating Chestnuts." This piece, an ink painting on silk, dates from a productive period in the artist's career, roughly between 1887 and 1892, when he created a series of album leaves depicting animals and landscapes. Other works from this time include charming portrayals like "A Pair of Puppies" and "Cat Seen from Behind," demonstrating his skill in rendering natural subjects with a delicate touch. Gyokushō's works often feature a keen observation of nature, a hallmark of the Maruyama school, which emphasized realism and direct study from life. Here, the artist's use of ink on silk allows for subtle gradations and soft textures, bringing the small creature to life with remarkable detail and a sense of gentle immediacy.