Menu
FREE ART CONSULTATION
PreviewPreview AR previewAR preview Buy Print Buy PrintBuy Image Buy Image SendSend
DetailsDetails Add to favorites Add to favorites DownloadDownload SimilarsSimilars X-RayX-Ray DiaporamaDiaporama

A Picture Album of Children

A lively scene of children playing with animals unfolds in this 1906 painting by Matsutani Shōun, capturing a joyful moment of Japanese life that invites you to explore the charm of this exquisite artwork.

Discover Matsutani Shojun (Yamamoto Shōun), a Japanese print designer famed for beautiful women & humorous shikishiban prints. Explore his Meiji-Shōwa legacy bridging ukiyo-e and shin-hanga.

Hand Made Oil Reproduction

Hand-painted oil on canvas in your size and frame, made to order by our artists. (Buy Print Buy PrintBuy Image Buy Image)

P118B $10
P118H $10
P118W $10
P438Z $10
P508JH $12
P508YH $12
P805H $10
P805Z $10
P919BZ $10
P919G $10
P919XJ $10
P959ZH $10
P968JZ $12
W106C $8
W218G $10
W218JH $8
W218Y $10
W307PJ $10
W316G $10
W316PJ $8
W316Y $10
W398PJ $8
W4111J $10
W500HY $15
W500JH $15
W692G $12
W849H $8
W940BG $15
W953PJ $8

Standard
custom
CM
INCH

Pick from our preset sizes that match the artwork's original proportions.

width
height

You may enter your own dimensions to fit a specific frame or space. If your selected size does not match the original image's proportions, we will either crop the artwork or extend the painting with additional hand-painted elements. A digital mockup will be sent for your approval before production begins.
Please note that the on-screen preview does not reflect the actual cropping or extension. Only the mockup will accurately show the final composition.
While custom sizes are available, we recommend selecting a dimension from the predefined list to preserve the original proportions.

Examples of what can be changed: Replace face with customer photo; Add pet (e.g., replace cat with dog); Include hidden message in background; Change background landscape or elements.
After order, ArtsDot.com team will email client for instructions and provide a mockup preview

Worldwide Delivery () in 3/4 weeks instead of standard 5 weeks. (4 September). No compromise on quality.

why_choose_icon
Free Worldwide Express Shipping
why_choose_icon
High-Quality Linen Canvas
why_choose_icon
Full Shipping Insurance
why_choose_icon
Customs Tax Refund Guarantee
why_choose_icon
True Color Matching Guarantee
why_choose_icon
60-Day Return Policy (Defects Only)
why_choose_icon
100% Money-Back Guarantee
why_choose_icon
Bulk Discount Offer

Total Price

$ 263

reproduction

A Picture Album of Children

Reproduction Medium

Reproduction Size

-

Total Price

$ 263

Quick Facts

  • Artist: Matsutani Shōun
  • Dimensions: 23 x 17 cm
  • Subject or theme: Children playing with animals in a street
  • Title: A Picture Album of Children
  • Year: 1906

A Symphony of Childhood Innocence

In the delicate strokes of Matsutani Shōun’s 1906 masterpiece, A Picture Album of Children, we are transported to a bygone era of unbridled joy and communal harmony. This exquisite work captures a fleeting moment in time, where the boundaries between humanity and nature dissolve into a singular, vibrant tapestry of life. The scene unfolds in a bustling street setting, populated by children whose laughter seems almost audible through the artist's masterful application of color and form. Amidst the playful chaos, various animals—from the watchful eyes of birds scattered throughout the sky to a loyal dog wandering near the group—weave a sense of interconnectedness that defines the very essence of this nostalgic vignette.

The composition is a masterclass in narrative depth, inviting the viewer to linger on the small, intimate details that breathe life into the canvas. A solitary chair sits near the center, perhaps a silent witness to the afternoon's festivities, while a discarded handbag rests near a child, suggesting a sudden, spontaneous departure into play. These subtle elements of domesticity grounded within a public space create a poignant tension between the structured world of adults and the boundless freedom of youth. For the discerning collector or interior designer, this piece offers more than mere decoration; it provides a window into a soulful, rhythmic existence where every creature plays a vital role in the grander design of the moment.

The Legacy of Matsutani Shōun

To appreciate A Picture Album of Children is to understand the profound lineage of Japanese artistry that Matsutani Shōun embodied. Trained in the prestigious Kanō school and later specializing in the expressive Nanga style, Shōun possessed a unique ability to bridge the gap between traditional woodblock print aesthetics and the evolving sensibilities of the Meiji and Shōwa eras. His technical prowess is evident in the way he balances the lively, almost humorous energy of his subjects with a refined, disciplined technique. This particular work reflects his versatility, moving beyond the celebrated beauty of his bijin-ga (pictures of beautiful women) to capture the raw, unscripted vitality of everyday life.

The emotional resonance of this painting lies in its ability to evoke a sense of universal nostalgia. Whether viewed as a historical document of early 20th-century Japan or as a timeless celebration of companionship, the artwork strikes a chord of profound peace. For those seeking to adorn a space with art that inspires warmth and tranquility, a high-quality reproduction of this piece serves as an exquisite focal point. It brings with it a sense of history, a touch of whimsy, and an enduring reminder of the simple, beautiful connections that bind us all to the world around us.


Artist Biography

early life and training

matsutani shōun, also known as yamamoto shōun, was a renowned japanese print designer, painter, and illustrator born on december 30, 1870, in kōchi, japan. he was given the name mosaburō, and his family were retainers of the shōgun. as a teenager, matsutani shōun studied kanō-school painting with yanagimoto doso and kawada shoryu. at about age 17, he moved to tokyo, where he continued his artistic training under the guidance of taki katei, specializing in nanga painting.

career highlights

* at 20 years of age, matsutani shōun was employed as an illustrator for fugoku gaho, a pictorial magazine focusing on the sights in and around tokyo. * in his latter career, matsutani shōun primarily produced paintings, showcasing his versatility as an artist. * he died in 1965 at the age of 96, leaving behind a legacy in japanese art.

notable works and contributions

* matsutani shōun is best known for his woodblock prints of beautiful women and humorous shikishiban (prints about 7 by 8 inches). * his career spans the meiji, taishō, and shōwa periods, making him a bridge between ukiyo-e and shin-hanga. * matsutani shōun signed most of his works with a small compact signature reading shōun.

legacy and availability of his works

* until 2003, collectors mainly knew matsutani shōun through his series "fashions of today – ima sugata." * the art collector and dealer robert o. muller's collection, which included thousands of shin-hanga prints, was bequeathed to the smithsonian’s arthur m. sackler gallery in 2003. * a representative part of muller's collection is available at [https://ArtsDot.com/@@/a@d3ar2v](the museum of fine arts (gifu, japan) and its collection), offering a glimpse into matsutani shōun's lesser-known works.
  • view matsutani shōun's artworks at [https://ArtsDot.com/@/matsutani-shoun](matsutani shōun | 9 artworks)
  • explore the collection at /en/art/show/art-d3bekd-en/ art museum (japan) - a hidden gem for art enthusiasts)
  • learn more about japanese art and culture at [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/yamamoto_sh%c5%8dun](yamamoto shōun - wikipedia)
discover the rich artistic heritage of japan through matsutani shōun's works, a testament to his enduring legacy in japanese art.
matsutani shōun

matsutani shōun

1870 - 1965 , Japan

Quick Facts

  • Artistic Movement Or Style: Shin-hanga
  • Artists Or Movements Influenced By This Artist: ['Ukiyo-e']
  • Artists Who Influenced This Artist:
    • Yanagimoto Doso
    • Kawada Shoryu
  • Date Of Birth: December 30, 1870
  • Date Of Death: 1965
  • Full Name: Matsutani Shojun (Yamamoto Shōun)
  • Nationality: Japanese
  • Notable Artworks:
    • Fashions of Today – Ima Sugata
    • A Picture Album of Children
  • Place Of Birth: Kochi, Japan
Explore artworks organized by themes, styles, and characteristics.