Mouse With A Sack Of Rice, 1780 - 1800,

This intriguing work by Kitagawa Utamaro, titled "Mouse With A Sack Of Rice," crafted sometime between 1780 and 1800, is quite evocative in its depiction. The painting features a lone mouse in a dynamic pose. The mouse, illustrated with a level of detail that conveys a sense of immediacy and naturalism, appears to be on the verge of scurrying away, clutching a small object tightly with its front paws.The mouse’s fur is detailed in a realistic manner, with varying textures and shading that suggest volume and the softness of its coat. It holds a large sack, presumably filled with rice, over its back, which is a common portrayal in artworks depicting mice as symbols of fertility and abundance in Japanese culture.The background of the painting is minimally detailed, directing the viewer's attention primarily to the mouse and the objects directly associated with it. There are several fallen rice grains near the mouse, emphasizing the narrative of the mouse's scavenging or theft. The incorporation of Japanese text—probably poetry or an excerpt that relates to the illustration—in the top left adds an intellectual layer to the visual image, inviting contemplation on the relationship between the written word and the visual story depicted.The use of monochrome ink in this painting is typical of Utamaro’s style, which is known for its delicate yet expressive line work, here used effectively to convey both motion and emotion.