Fish, Flowers & Flying Things: Nature at the Spencer
Exhibition
Exhibition Overview
Fish, Flowers & Flying Things: Nature at the Spencer
Joseph W. Lampo, curator
July 19, 2002–September 1, 2002
Kress Gallery, Spencer Museum of Art, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas
This exhibition was organized in conjunction with the annual conference of the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators held in Lawrence August 4-9, 2002. The exhibition presents renderings of natural subjects: plants, mammals, fish, birds, insects, and reptiles and amphibians, in many media by American, European, and Asian artists from the 16th century to the present. Decorative arts objects as well as paintings, prints, and sculpture provide a varied look at the way flora and fauna have been depicted, at times in imaginative or fantastic ways. Many of the objects, such as a Chinese silk robe precisely painted with biologically accurate varieties of butterflies and Alan Tolkanson’s large cottonwood limestone abstract sculpture, are seldom on view.
Exhibition images
Works of art
bowl,
1541, Ming dynasty (1368–1644)
jade figure of standing camel,
Qing Dynasty (1644–1911)
crab-shaped inkwell,
late 1500s
decanter with stopper,
mid 1800s
bowl,
late 1600s, Kangxi period (1662–1722), Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
platter,
late 1800s–early 1900s, Meiji period (1868–1912) or Taisho period (1912–1926)
calling card case,
1840s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
花入 gourd-shaped hanaire (flower container),
Meiji period (1868–1912)
Ghent-Bruges School
Illuminated manuscript border leaf with extracts from Gospel of Mark,
circa 1500–1510
tripod censer,
late 1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
inro, netsuke, ojime,
early 1800s, Edo period (1600–1868)
Jingasa (ceremonial military hat),
1800s, Edo period (1600–1868)
hairpin (kanzashi) with flower,
Edo period (1600–1868)
hairpin (kanzashi) with turtle,
Edo period (1600–1868)
keshobako (vanity box),
1800s, Edo period (1600–1868) or Meiji period (1868–1912)
wedding robe with butterflies,
late 1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
kozuka (knife handle),
after 1750, Edo period (1600–1868)
kushi (comb) with butterflies,
Edo period (1600–1868)
kushi (comb),
Edo period (1600–1868)
kushi (comb),
1800s, Edo period (1600–1868)
kushi (comb),
1800s, Edo period (1600–1868)
kushi (comb),
Edo period (1600–1868)
kushi (comb),
Edo period (1600–1868)
leaf-shaped dish,
1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
plate,
Yüan dynasty (1279–1368)
melon-shaped ewer,
1000s–1100s, Goryeo dynasty (918–1392)
netsuke,
1800s
netsuke,
1700s, Edo period (1600–1868)
netsuke (toad),
1800s
netsuke,
Edo period (1600–1868)
netsuke,
1800s, Edo period (1600–1868)
untitled,
1600s
untitled,
1600s
untitled,
1600s
untitled,
1600s
untitled,
1600s
untitled,
1600s
untitled,
1600s
untitled,
1600s
untitled (plate 9),
1600s
untitled (plate 10),
1600s
untitled (plate 11),
1600s
untitled (plate 12),
1600s
snuff bottle with stopper,
circa 1750–1880, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
苦瓜 kugua (bitter melon), snuff bottle with stopper,
late 1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
horses, snuff bottle with stopper,
1850–1875, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
snuff bottle with stopper,
1800–1895, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
snuff bottle with stopper,
date unknown
snuff bottle,
date unknown
tachi (slung sword) in saya (scabbard),
1880–1895, Meiji period (1868–1912)
chawan 茶碗 (tea bowl) with mon 紋 (crest),
circa 1775, Edo period (1600–1868)
teapot with lid,
circa 1770–1780
toad,
1500s–1700s
Ishiguro Masakatsu (active 1800s)
鍔 tsuba (sword guard) with dragon flies,
1850s, Edo period (1600–1868) or Meiji period (1868–1912)
Tsu Jinpo (1720–1761)
鍔 tsuba (sword guard) with lobster,
Edo period (1600–1868)
tsuba (sword guard),
Edo period (1600–1868)
tsuba (sword guard),
1700s, Edo period (1600–1868)
vase with lotus flowers,
late 1200s–1300s, Goryeo dynasty (918–1392)
box,
late 1700s–early 1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
wine glass,
1800s
wine cup,
early 1700s, Yongzheng period (1723–1735), Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
wine cup,
early 1700s, Yongzheng period (1723–1735), Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Rongqing (active late 1800s)
teapot,
late 1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
gourd-shaped teapot,
1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Akira
kōgō (incense container),
date unknown
Manuel Alvarez Bravo (1902–2002)
Carryo and Television Antenna,
circa 1979
Anna Atkins (1799–1871)
Robinia pseudo-acacia (America),
circa 1851–1854
Ōdō Ayasono (active mid 1800s)
Iris,
mid 1800s, Edo period (1600–1868)
Belleek Pottery Works Company Ltd (founded 1884)
teapot with lid,
circa 1890
Abraham van Beyeren (1620 or 1621–1690)
The Ray,
circa 1649
Bi Rongjiu (active late 1800s)
snuff bottle with stopper,
1890–1920, Qing dynasty (1644–1911) to Republic of China (1911–1949)
Karl Blossfeldt (1865–1932)
Eryngium Bourgatii Mannetreau,
circa 1926–1928
Karl Blossfeldt (1865–1932)
untitled,
circa 1926–1930
Karl Blossfeldt (1865–1932)
Trollius Ledeboura, Troll-Dotter blume,
circa 1926–1930
Karl Blossfeldt (1865–1932)
Aspidium Filix Mas. Wurmfarn,
circa 1926–1930
Karl Blossfeldt (1865–1932)
untitled,
circa 1926–1930
Karl Blossfeldt (1865–1932)
untitled,
circa 1926–1930
Karl Blossfeldt (1865–1932)
Papaver Mohn,
1932
Karl Blossfeldt (1865–1932)
untitled,
circa 1926–1930
Karl Blossfeldt (1865–1932)
Körbchenblütler,
circa 1926–1930
Karl Blossfeldt (1865–1932)
untitled,
circa 1926–1930
Benigno Bossi (1727–1792); Ennemond Alexandre Petitot (1727–1801)
Boston & Sandwich Glass Company (active 1825–1888)
pair of candlesticks,
circa 1845–1870
Félix Bracquemond (1833–1914)
Léon Brard (1830–1902); Bernard Palissy and Workshop (active circa 1510–1590)
platter with fish and eels,
circa 1865–1895
Bolton Coit Brown (1864–1936)
A Weed,
1924
William Theophilus Brown (1919–2012)
Apples and Spoon,
1964
Nick Bubash (1949–2021); Teresa Mucha; Big Cat Press
Tiger Finch, Listening,
1999
Nick Bubash (1949–2021); Teresa Mucha; Big Cat Press
Tani Bunchō (1763–1840); Su Shi (1037–1101)
Bamboo,
1810, Edo period (1600–1868)
Harry Callahan (1912–1999)
Trees, Chicago,
1950
Martin Fan Cheng (1931–2023)
untitled,
1987
Martin Fan Cheng (1931–2023)
untitled,
1981
Imogen Cunningham (1883–1976)
Agave I,
1920
Currier & Ives (active 1834–1907)
Autumn Fruit Varieties,
1871
Currier & Ives (active 1834–1907)
Fruits of the Garden,
1871
Susan Davidoff (born 1953); Lawrence Lithography Workshop (active 2001–present)
Susan Davidoff (born 1953); Lawrence Lithography Workshop (active 2001–present)
Bruce Davidson (born 1933)
Horse,
1960s
Patricia DuBose Duncan (1932–2021)
Painted Box Turtle,
1970s
Dr. Harold Eugene Edgerton (1903–1990)
Dr. Harold Eugene Edgerton (1903–1990)
Fighting Finches,
mid-late 1900s
Max Ernst (1891–1976)
Soleil Crocodile,
1960
Elliott Erwitt (1928–2023)
Terry Evans (born 1944)
Ken Ferguson (1928–2004)
Hare Basket,
1995
Tony Fitzpatrick (1958–2025); Big Cat Press
Jewel Bug,
2000
Tony Fitzpatrick (1958–2025); Big Cat Press
Dancing Bug,
2000
Tony Fitzpatrick (1958–2025); Big Cat Press
Lopea,
2000
Tony Fitzpatrick (1958–2025); Big Cat Press
Green Bug,
2000
Tony Fitzpatrick (1958–2025); Big Cat Press
Caterpillar,
2000
Tony Fitzpatrick (1958–2025); Big Cat Press
Grasshopper,
2000
Tony Fitzpatrick (1958–2025); Big Cat Press
Harlequin,
2000
Tony Fitzpatrick (1958–2025); Big Cat Press
Wonder Bug,
2001
Tony Fitzpatrick (1958–2025); Big Cat Press
Lady Bug,
2001
Tony Fitzpatrick (1958–2025); Big Cat Press
Cicada,
2001
Albert Flamen (circa 1620–after 1693)
Brema, La Brame (The Bream),
mid 1600s
Walton Ford (born 1960)
Hide Trade,
1998
Ganryō (1798–1852)
Bamboo Grove,
1800s, Edo period (1600–1868) or Meiji period (1868–1912)
Flor Garduño (born 1957)
David James Gilhooly (1943–2013)
Laura Gilpin (1891–1979)
Apple Blossoms,
1929
Waylande Desantis Gregory (1905–1971)
gazelle bowl,
circa 1940
Henri Charles Guérard (1846–1897)
Azor, the Artist's Dog,
circa 1890
Han Tianheng (born 1940)
Lotuses,
mid-late 1900s
Ogawa Haritsu (Ritsuō) (1663–1747)
inro, netsuke, ojime,
1700s, Edo period (1600–1868)
Tetsugendō Naofusa (active 1700s)
鍔 tsuba (sword guard) with geese passing the moon,
1700s, Edo period (1600–1868)
Utagawa Hiroshige (1797–1858)
Kasago and Isaki with Three Ginger Shoots,
early 1830s, Edo period (1600–1868)
Utagawa Hiroshige (1797–1858)
Tigerfish and White Croaker,
1840–1842, Edo period (1600–1868)
Totoya Hokkei (1780–1850)
Qingao riding a carp,
circa 1820, Edo period (1600–1868)
Wenceslaus Hollar (1607–1677)
The Dead Mole,
1646
Charles-Louis-M. Houdard (1874–1965)
Fleurs (Flowers),
1895
Mary Huntoon (1896–1970)
Chestnut, Corsica,
circa 1926–1930
Luis Alfonso Jimenez (1940–2006)
Alligator,
1992
Luis Alfonso Jimenez (1940–2006); Lawrence Lithography Workshop (active 1979–1998)
Karl Jutz (1838–1916)
Farmyard Birds,
late 1800s
Kajikawa Family (active 1700s)
sakazuki (sake drinking cup),
1700s, Edo period (1600–1868)
Matsumura Keibun (1779–1843)
Cranes and Pines,
early 1800s, Edo period (1600–1868)
Matsumura Keibun (1779–1843)
Cranes and Pines,
early 1800s, Edo period (1600–1868)
Ogata Kenzan (1663–1743)
皿 sara (dish),
circa 1700s, Edo period (1600–1868)
Dan R. Kirchhefer (born 1947)
A Parable,
1984
Karl Kröner (1887–1972)
陸放 Lu Fang (born 1932)
A Study in Silver,
1986
Christian Gottlieb Ludwig (1709–1773)
Julian Martinez (1897–1943); Maria Martinez (1887–1980)
vase with Avanyu design,
1900s
Richard Martinez (1904–1987, active 1920–1970); C. Szwedzicki (active 1929–1952)
Emblem of the Universe,
1932
Shiomi Masanari (1647–1722)
inro, netsuke, ojime (fox wedding scene),
early 1700s
André Masson (1896–1987)
Adolf de Meyer (1868–1949)
Still life (Waterlilies),
1908
Nagamitsu (Hirose?) (1800s)
one of a set of five (5) dishes,
1800s, Edo period (1600–1868) or Meiji period (1868–1912)
Sarah Agnes Estelle Irvine (1887–1970); Joseph Fortune Meyer (1848–1931); Newcomb Pottery (active 1895–1940)
vase,
1918
Bernard Palissy and Workshop (active circa 1510–1590)
Rustic Basin,
circa 1570–1590
Olivia Parker (born 1941)
White Roses,
1980
Pablo Picasso (1881–1973)
Le cheval (The Horse),
1941–1942
Eliot Furness Porter (1901–1990)
Spruce Trees: The River,
1963
Qi Baishi (1864–1957)
Flowers and Insects,
1948, Republic of China (1911–1949)
William Seltzer Rice (1873–1963)
Bert's Iris,
1920
Pierre Roche (1855–1922)
Algues marines (Seaweed),
1893
Rookwood Pottery (active 1880–1967); Amelia Browne Sprague (1870–1951)
vase,
1900
Royal Copenhagen Porcelain Factory (1775–present)
Edward Ruscha (born 1937)
Flies,
1972
Charles Marion Russell (1864–1926)
The Challenge,
1916
Okamoto Shūki (1807–1862)
Peacock on a Rock,
early 1800s, Edo period (1600–1868)
Birger Sandzén (1871–1954)
Smoky River in Autumn,
1945
Ueno Setsugaku (1800s)
poppies,
1862, Edo period (1600–1868)
William Sharp (1803–1875); John Fisk Allen (1785–1865)
William Sharp (1803–1875); John Fisk Allen (1785–1865)
William Sharp (1803–1875); John Fisk Allen (1785–1865)
William Sharp (1803–1875); John Fisk Allen (1785–1865)
William Sharp (1803–1875); John Fisk Allen (1785–1865)
William Sharp (1803–1875); John Fisk Allen (1785–1865)
portfolio cover,
1854
Yanagawa Shigenobu (1787–1832)
puppy with kite and ball,
1826, Edo period (1600–1868)
Futsukabo (died 1785); Soga Shōhaku (1730–1781)
Herons and Reeds,
mid 1700s, Edo period (1600–1868)
David Alfaro Siqueiros (1896–1974)
Aaron Siskind (1903–1991)
The Tree 35,
1973
Jaune Quick-to-See Smith (1940–2025); Michael Sims (born 1944); Zanatta Editions (1996–present)
Tribe/Community,
1996
Michael A. Smith (born 1942)
Near Lorano, Tuscany,
2000
Robert Stackhouse (born 1942)
Ruby Lawrence,
1995
Mary M. Stayman
Leaf quilt top,
1923
Paul Strand (1890–1976); Richard Benson (born 1943)
Iris, Georgetown, Maine,
1928
Wayne Thiebaud (1920–2021)
Palm,
1966
George Andrew Tice (1938–2025)
Tree #10,
circa 1964–1965
George Andrew Tice (1938–2025)
Tree #15,
circa 1964–1965
Louis Comfort Tiffany (1848–1933)
Salamander vase,
1905–1910
Kanō Tsunenobu (1636–1713)
Tiger and Bamboo,
late 1600s–early 1700s, Edo period (1600–1868)
Deme Uman (active 1772–1780)
netsuke (fox mask),
circa 1772–1780, Edo period (1600–1868)
Josiah Wedgwood & Sons Ltd. (founded 1759)
chocolate pot,
circa 1769–1795
Brett Weston (1911–1993)
Reeds, Oregon,
1975
Shedrick Williames (born 1934)
untitled (fruit),
1972
Shedrick Williames (born 1934)
R. & W. Wilson (circa 1840)
covered dish with strainer and lid,
circa 1840
Pieter Withoos (1654–1693)
Moths, Butterflies and a Wasp,
circa 1680
Xu Beihong (1895–1953)
Two Horses,
1947, Republic of China (1911–1949)
月岡芳年 Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839–1892)
Spirit of General Tamichi as a Great Snake,
1880, Meiji period (1868–1912)
月岡芳年 Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839–1892)
Priest Raigō of Mii Temple Transformed into a Rat,
1891, Meiji period (1868–1912)