Elephant and Whale
Itō Jakuchū · 1795
Why it's great
A huge white elephant on one folding screen and a giant whale on the other face each other across the two sides, like a big playful puzzle. Itō Jakuchū painted them in 1795 in a dotted, quirky style that looks like a pixel picture. The two giants, one of land and one of sea, seem to say hello. It's a fun, funny masterpiece of Japanese art.
👀 Look closer!
The elephant and the whale are made of tiny squares. Which one do you think is bigger?
Where to see it
📍 Miho MuseumKōka-shi, Japan
Open in Maps ↗Hang it on your wall
Three places to look for a print of this painting, from budget to museum-grade:
These links open search results on each shop's own website; we don't sell anything or earn a commission, and print quality varies by seller. Ask a grown-up before you buy anything.
Itō Jakuchū was born in Kyoto, Japan, the son of a vegetable seller. He ran the family shop for years before devoting himself to painting, and kept chickens in his garden so he could study them. His colorful and detailed pictures of birds, plants and animals are among the most beloved in Japan. He died in 1800.
