The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of July 19, 2026

A hanging scroll in black ink features Chinese calligraphy in the upper left and a depiction of bamboo sprouting around a tall rock at the center. Sparse, textured strokes highlight the rock's weathered surface, while dark strokes define the bamboo's narrow, pointed leaves flaring rightward. Fainter stalks drift in the background. Four columns of text and a red seal stand against the warm brown silk background.

Bamboo in the Wind

1724

Ma Yu

(Chinese, active 1706–1724)
China, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
hanging scroll; ink on silk
Overall: 140 x 57.5 cm (55 1/8 x 22 5/8 in.)
Gift of Charles L. Freer 1915.96
Location: Not on view

Did You Know?

In traditional Chinese culture, bamboo symbolizes a gentleman's virtuous resilience and flexibility.
  • ?–1915
    Charles L. Freer [1854–1919], Detroit, MI, given to the Cleveland Museum of Art
    1915–
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • {{cite web|title=Bamboo in the Wind|url=false|author=Ma Yu|year=1724|access-date=19 July 2026|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1915.96