Study of a rabbit

‘Study of a Rabbit’ seamlessly blends two artistic traditions, bringing a contemporary perspective to historical imagery. In the foreground, a lifelike rabbit dozes in quiet repose, while behind it, a delicate ink drawing of a leaping hare—reminiscent of the famous Chōjū-giga scrolls—animates the background.

Molinari’s Correlations series explores how animals have been depicted across Eastern and Western art. In Japanese ukiyo-e, anthropomorphized animals frequently serve as allegories for human nature, as seen in the Chōjū-giga scrolls, where rabbits and frogs engage in human-like play. Meanwhile, European traditions often depict rabbits with pastoral realism, symbolizing innocence or the passage of time. By merging these elements, Molinari creates a dialogue between movement and stillness, mythology and reality, past and present.