Artwork Page for Three Purities

Details / Information for Three Purities

Three Purities

1878

Zhang Xiong 張熊

(Chinese, 1803–1886)
Culture
China, Xiaxing, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Medium
hanging scroll; ink and color on paper
Measurements
Overall: 168 x 44 cm (66 1/8 x 17 5/16 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. James S. Reid 1999.193
Public Domain
You can copy, modify, and distribute this work, all without asking permission. Learn more about CMA's Open Access Initiative.
Location
Not on view
Print
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Did You Know?

This painting was dedicated to an older individual on one of his birthdays.

Description

As an artist, Zhang Xiong first attained fame in his native city Jiaxing, Zhejiang province. When the turmoil of the Taiping rebellion spread to his area, he decided to move to Shanghai where he became the elderly spokesman for the art scene in this newly rising metropolis. He is best remembered for his bird-and-flower paintings, of which this painting certainly is a fine example. "The Three Purities" refer to pine (symbol of longevity), plum blossoms (continual renewal of life), and bamboo (inner strength), plants that can endure and thrive during the winter season. A cluster of narcissus is a fitting complement as it is emblematic for immortality.
A hanging scroll features a gnarled pine tree with dark needles curving from the lower left. Fine pink plum blossoms sprout from thin branches, while white narcissus with yellow centers bloom among gray rocks and blue-gray bamboo. Textured strokes define the bark, and dark dashes highlight the pine needles. Vertical columns of Chinese calligraphy and a red square seal occupy the upper left corner of the cream-colored paper.

Three Purities

1878

Zhang Xiong

(Chinese, 1803–1886)
China, Xiaxing, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)

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