Qu Yuan and the Fisherman

mid-17th century

Not on view

This fan depicts an encounter between the exiled minister Qu Yuan—purported author of the Nine Songs—and a wise fisherman. Dejected at his banishment from the capital, Qu complains to the fisherman of a world gone mad. The fisherman replies that Qu should take the world as it comes and adapt to changing circumstances. This dialogue was made famous in the literary collection Chu ci.

Artwork Details

明/清　沈顥　漁父圖　摺扇
Title: Qu Yuan and the Fisherman
Artist: Shen Hao (Chinese, active 1630–50)
Period: Ming (1368–1644) or Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Date: mid-17th century
Culture: China
Medium: Folding fan mounted as an album leaf; ink and color on gold paper
Dimensions: 6 5/8 x 20 1/4 in. (16.8 x 51.4 cm)
Classification: Paintings
Credit Line: John Stewart Kennedy Fund, 1913
Object Number: 13.100.57
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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