Eagle on a Tree Trunk

古槎秋鷹圖

1755

Huang Shen 黃愼

(Chinese, 1687–after 1768)

Culture

China, Qing dynasty (1644–1911), Qianlong reign (1736–95)

Medium

Hanging scroll; ink and color on paper

Measurements

Image: 124 x 45 cm (48 13/16 x 17 11/16 in.); Overall: 213.2 x 61.2 cm (83 15/16 x 24 1/8 in.)

Credit Line

Andrew R. and Martha Holden Jennings Fund 1977.31

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Location

Not on view

Did You Know?

With its wings partially lifted and sharp beak open in expectation, the eagle seems intent on some unseen prey below.

Description

Huang Shen’s swift painting style is paralleled in his calligraphy. The vertical line in running script echoes the fluid form of the eagle on a tree trunk covered with a twisted vine. A native of Fujian province, Huang came to Yangzhou in 1724 to make his living as a painter. He needed years to develop a style that met the taste of his clients. He eventually became known as a figure painter and as one of the Eccentrics from Yangzhou, a group of local artists known for their unorthodox painting style.