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Shibata Zeshin Monkey Posing as a Collector Japanese art print showing monkey examining collectibles with magnifying glass on golden yellow silk background
  • Shibata Zeshin Monkey Posing as a Collector Japanese art print showing monkey examining collectibles with magnifying glass on golden yellow silk background
  • 19th century Japanese wall art print by Shibata Zeshin featuring anthropomorphic monkey in patterned robes with antique collector objects fine art reproduction
  • Museum quality giclée art print of Edo period painting Monkey Posing as a Collector by master artist Shibata Zeshin available as wall decor
  • Framed Shibata Zeshin Monkey Posing as a Collector art print displayed on wall showing Japanese painting in modern interior home decor setting
  • Traditional Japanese silk painting reproduction art print Shibata Zeshin monkey collector scene with inrō netsuke and books decorative wall art
  • Shibata Zeshin fine art print Japanese monkey painting 19th century satirical artwork high resolution giclée reproduction for home gallery wall
  • Museum quality framed Japanese wall art print of Shibata Zeshin monkey collector painting hanging in contemporary room interior design inspiration
  • Shibata Zeshin Monkey Posing as a Collector Japanese art print showing monkey examining collectibles with magnifying glass on golden yellow silk background
  • 19th century Japanese wall art print by Shibata Zeshin featuring anthropomorphic monkey in patterned robes with antique collector objects fine art reproduction
  • Museum quality giclée art print of Edo period painting Monkey Posing as a Collector by master artist Shibata Zeshin available as wall decor
  • Framed Shibata Zeshin Monkey Posing as a Collector art print displayed on wall showing Japanese painting in modern interior home decor setting
  • Traditional Japanese silk painting reproduction art print Shibata Zeshin monkey collector scene with inrō netsuke and books decorative wall art
  • Shibata Zeshin fine art print Japanese monkey painting 19th century satirical artwork high resolution giclée reproduction for home gallery wall
  • Museum quality framed Japanese wall art print of Shibata Zeshin monkey collector painting hanging in contemporary room interior design inspiration
Shibata Zeshin Monkey Posing as a Collector Print

Shibata Zeshin Monkey Posing as a Collector Print

£16.00 GBP
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Decoding the Satire: A Monkey's Take on Connoisseurship 🐵

Shibata Zeshin (1807–1891) wasn't your typical Edo-period artist. Born in Tokyo when it was still called Edo, he trained simultaneously in two seemingly disparate disciplines: the meticulous craft of lacquerwork and the expressive freedom of painting. This dual mastery gave him a unique artistic vocabulary that bridged decorative arts and literati painting traditions.

What makes Zeshin truly extraordinary is his technical innovation. He developed groundbreaking methods to keep lacquer flexible enough to apply to rollable surfaces like scrolls, solving a problem that had stumped artisans for generations. His work with urushi (Japanese lacquer) and maki-e decoration, combined with his command of ink and mineral pigments on silk, positioned him as one of the most versatile artists of his era. By the Meiji period, his work was captivating audiences at international expositions, introducing Western collectors to the sophistication of Japanese art.

This particular painting, held in the Honolulu Museum of Art's collection, is pure wit rendered in ink and colour on silk. The composition shows a monkey draped in exquisitely patterned cloth, earnestly examining collectible objects with a magnifying glass. Scattered around are the accoutrements of the serious collector: a book, a measuring stick, an inrō (traditional medicine case), and what appears to be a netsuke (decorative toggle).

The genius lies in the gentle mockery. Zeshin created several works featuring animals mimicking human behaviour, and scholars interpret these as playful commentary on human pretension and self-importance. In "Monkey Posing as a Collector", the artist offers a knowing wink about the theatre of connoisseurship: the performance of expertise, the rituals of authentication, the earnest scrutiny of objects. It's a 19th-century precursor to every social media influencer carefully curating their aesthetic. The monkey becomes us, and we become the monkey.

🎨 Why Choose This Art Print?
This isn’t just any reproduction. Our fine art posters use cutting-edge giclée fine art 12-colour printing technology to ensure every subtle hue is faithfully rendered. The smooth matte finish on FSC-certified paper keeps your art print glare-free and eco-friendly, perfect for collectors who care about sustainability and quality alike. What's more, ART SNOB prints every image at over 350 dpi, ensuring ultra-sharp clarity and incredible definition that truly stands out.

A Print Worthy of the Masterpiece 🎨

🌈 Ultra-vivid 12-colour giclée printing for brilliant, true-to-life colours
📜 Matte finish ensures a sophisticated, glare-free display
🖼️ Printed on thick, durable 200 gsm FSC-certified paper — eco-friendly and built to last
📏 Available in multiple sizes including 8x10, 12x16, and 16x20 inches to fit any space
🌿 Made with sustainable materials for environmentally conscious style