Artwork Page for Bamboo, Rocks and Lonely Orchids

Details / Information for Bamboo, Rocks and Lonely Orchids

Bamboo, Rocks and Lonely Orchids

竹石幽蘭圖

1271–1368

Zhao Mengfu 趙孟頫

(Chinese, 1254–1322)
Culture
China, Yuan dynasty (1271-1368)
Medium
Handscroll; ink on paper
Measurements
Mounted: 52.4 x 1337.7 cm (20 5/8 x 526 5/8 in.); Image: 50.9 x 147.8 cm (20 1/16 x 58 3/16 in.)
Credit Line
John L. Severance Fund by exchange 1963.515
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
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Did You Know?

One of the many inscriptions records that the handscroll was last remounted by Xu Shudong 徐曙東 of Jiaxing 嘉興 in 1802.

Description

Bamboo and orchids are motifs associated with the virtues of the scholar-official. Bamboo that bends but does not break stands for moral integrity, endurance, and loyalty. Wild, fragrant orchids that bloom in the shadow symbolize modesty and the aura of learnedness. Rocks are often considered to be miniature versions of mountains that form the universe. This monochrome ink painting is brushed on paper in a masterfully calligraphic manner. While the rocks are delineated in chalky, dry strokes showing the effect of flying white (feibai), the bamboo and orchids are drawn with a swift brush demonstrating the virtuosity of the artist.
Horizontally long handscroll in black ink with staggered sections of Chinese calligraphy in the left four-fifths (see "Inscriptions") and a depiction of bamboo and orchids sprouting from a central rock in the final fifth. Sparse, streaking strokes outline the rock, while dark strokes highlight the bamboo's narrow, pointed leaves. Slightly lighter, long, narrow strands splay from the rocks. Pointed petals surround the loose strokes of the interior of the orchids nestled among the bamboo.

Bamboo, Rocks and Lonely Orchids

1271–1368

Zhao Mengfu

(Chinese, 1254–1322)
China, Yuan dynasty (1271-1368)

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