The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of March 22, 2024

Eagles

Eagles

1368–1644
Painting: 167.2 x 98.4 cm (65 13/16 x 38 3/4 in.); Overall framed: 189.3 x 114.5 cm (74 1/2 x 45 1/16 in.)
Location: not on view

Description

Two eagles, painted in fine brushwork, perch on top of rocks surrounded by water, flowering camellia, and other vegetation, brushed in sweeping and broad strokes. Among birds, a favorite subject in Chinese painting, depictions of eagles can be traced back to at least the fourth century.

Due to dramatic sociopolitical changes during the foreign-ruled Yuan (1279–1368) and native Ming dynasties, an elaborate symbolic language of the eagle developed. It can represent a vicious attacker, a courageous hero, or an enlightened emperor. In this painting, the two eagles are depicted peacefully resting in a lofty position, perhaps an idealistic image for a wise emperor and empress.
  • ?-1915
    Dr. John Calvin Ferguson [1866-1945] given to the Cleveland Museum of Art
    1915-
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • Flora and Fauna (Chinese art rotation). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (November 6, 2020-June 6, 2021).
    home of Severance and Greta Millikin, Gates Mills, OH (November 13, 1980-June 25, 1981). (These two loan periods coincide with the loan periods of the Millikins' loans to CMA for the exhibition "Eight Dynasties of Chinese Art")
    home of Severance and Greta Millikin, Gates Mills, OH (August 27-December 6, 1982). (These two loan periods coincide with the loan periods of the Millikins' loans to CMA for the exhibition "Eight Dynasties of Chinese Art")
  • {{cite web|title=Eagles|url=false|author=|year=1368–1644|access-date=22 March 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1915.710