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Playing the Ruan

Fu Baoshi Chinese

dated 1945

Not on view

Here, three women listen intently to the strains of a lute-like ruan. Their pensive expressions, leaning poses, and tight-knit triangular grouping reflect the art and theories of the Eastern Jin master Gu Kaizhi (ca. 345–406), who advocated “capturing the spirit through the form.” Fu’s fluid, curving brushlines also capture something of Gu’s musical “iron wire” draftsmanship.

Playing the Ruan, Fu Baoshi (Chinese, 1904–1965), Hanging scroll; ink and color on paper, China — Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Title: Playing the Ruan

Artist: Fu Baoshi (Chinese, 1904–1965)

Date: dated 1945

Culture: China

Medium: Hanging scroll; ink and color on paper

Dimensions: Image: 38 11/16 x 18 13/16 in. (98.2 x 47.8 cm)

Classification: Paintings

Credit Line: Lent by Nanjing Museum

Accession Number: SL.8.2012.2.29

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Asian Art at The Met

The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35,000 objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B.C. to the twenty-first century—is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world.