Apr 7, 2010

Nine Songs

Nine Songs

九歌圖

1361

Zhang Wo 張渥

(Chinese, active c.1336–after 1364)

and Chu Huan 褚奐

(Chinese, active 1361)

Handscroll, ink on paper

Overall: 28 x 438.2 cm (11 x 172 1/2 in.)

Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund 1959.138

Location

Description

Painted in the baimiao, or fine-line drawing style, this ancient work demonstrates the literati’s use of abstract calligraphic brushwork for self-expression. The subject of the “Nine Songs”—songs associated with shamanistic rituals in the ancient Chu kingdom—had traditionally provided artists with myths and legends that they could explore and reinterpret in their own works.

See also
Collection: 
ASIAN - Handscroll
Department: 
Chinese Art
Type of artwork: 
Painting

Contact us

The information about this object, including provenance, may not be currently accurate. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@clevelandart.org.

To request more information about this object, study images, or bibliography, contact the Ingalls Library Reference Desk.

All images and data available through Open Access can be downloaded for free. For images not available through Open Access, a detail image, or any image with a color bar, request a digital file from Image Services.