Good Fortune and Longevity, 1902
Empress Dowager Cixiexpand_more
Ink and color on silkexpand_more
Gift of Yang and Helen H. Wangexpand_more 2011.87.2
Not on Viewexpand_more
The artist Cixi was an empress, and created this scroll of peony blossoms by applying graduated washes of color rather than drawing them as ink outlines. This is a hallmark of the mogu, or “boneless,” method, which lends itself to conveying the delicacy and coloring of flower petals.
The peony has been hailed as the king of flowers in China for its majestic scale, fragrance, and literary associations. Its rich colors and abundance of petals have linked the peony to nobility and wealth. These associations, as well as the inscription of good fortune on this painting, would have made the artwork a prestigious and auspicious gift from Cixi to a relative or courtier.
The peony has been hailed as the king of flowers in China for its majestic scale, fragrance, and literary associations. Its rich colors and abundance of petals have linked the peony to nobility and wealth. These associations, as well as the inscription of good fortune on this painting, would have made the artwork a prestigious and auspicious gift from Cixi to a relative or courtier.
Details
- Title
- Good Fortune and Longevity
- Artist Life
- 1835 - 1908
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- 2011.87.2
- Curator Approved
This record is from historic documentation and may not have been reviewed by a curator, so may be inaccurate or incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
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