small yellow flowers and buds, with pink centers, on a long, delicate branch; inscription and 3 seals at left

Wintersweet Blossom from a Flower Album of Ten Leaves, 1656

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Ink and color on paperexpand_more

Gift of Ruth and Bruce Daytonexpand_more  2001.70.4.9

Not on Viewexpand_more

Xiang Shengmo was born into one of the most prestigious families in Jiaxing, a city in northeastern China. When the Manchu invasion reached Jiaxing, in 1645, many of Xiang’s friends and relatives died in a vain attempt to save their city. His homestead was destroyed and his family’s art collections lost. Following this upheaval, Xiang’s painting changed from an amateur, literati pursuit, becoming a source of income. Xiang was at the height of his technical and expressive powers when he created this album, featuring a wide range of flowers including wintersweet, cockscomb, apricot, pear, daylily, and cassia. He worked here in pure color without ink outlines and in shaded brushstrokes, which give the impression of three-dimensional modeling.

Details
Title
Wintersweet Blossom from a Flower Album of Ten Leaves
Artist Life
1597-1658
Role
Artist
Accession Number
2001.70.4.9
Curator Approved

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small yellow flowers and buds, with pink centers, on a long, delicate branch; inscription and 3 seals at left