Recreating Itō Jakuchū's Edo-era Chicken Art

Japanese artist Itō Jakuchū painted many subjects in the 18th century, but he tended to favor birds, especially chickens. Jakuchū's chickens are more realistic and less stylized than other artists of the mid-Edo era, and hold up well today as beautiful images of nature.

Here in 2024, daiouika is an owner, admirer, and photographer of chickens. The chicken photographs he posts are akin to portraits. But daiouika's most fascinating project is recreating Jakuchū's paintings from almost 300 years ago in photographs! While you can't really make a chicken pose, he goes to great lengths to match the appearance of the chicken(s) and the background details. The results are exquisite. This kind of photo requires infinite patience, plus the subject's trust. And that's saying something, because chickens are the very definition of bird brains. But we love them, whether in the backyard or coming through a drive-through window. Check out daiouika's technique and see more of his Jakuchū recreations at Spoon & Tamago. -via Everlasting Blort