This summer Ronin Gallery invites you to experience the delicate world of insects. Although you might miss them, these small, often overlooked creatures present themselves as both the subjects of interest and background details in prints from the 18th-century through today. This exhibition features a complete set of Utamaro’s Picture Book of Selected Insects (1788), a collection of fifteen woodblock prints featuring various insects, reptiles, and plants. Each insect is illustrated in remarkable detail, demonstrating Utamaro’s clear mastery of the natural world. Each specimen is partnered with a short love poem in the Japanese style kyoka, or humorous verse.

For insight into the poems’ translations as well as further exploration of Utamaro’s insects, visit our recent blog Bugs & Love: Exploring Utamaro’s Picture Book of Selected Insects here.

This exhibition was designed by Daphne Leibowitz during her 2024 summer internship at Ronin Gallery.