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Gibbons and Deer

Southern Song dynasty (1127–1279)
Not on view
This painting is a rebus or pictorial pun, that conveys a wish for success on an examination. The Chinese title of the painting, Yuan lu ("gibbons and deer"), is a homophone for the expression "First [place gains] power." Thus, the painting must be read as a text, its images read as words.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • 南宋 佚名 猿鹿圖 冊頁
  • Title: Gibbons and Deer
  • Artist: Unidentified artist Chinese, 13th century
  • Period: Southern Song dynasty (1127–1279)
  • Culture: China
  • Medium: Album leaf; ink and color on silk
  • Dimensions: 7 x 8 3/4 in. (17.8 x 22.2 cm)
  • Classification: Paintings
  • Credit Line: Edward Elliott Family Collection, Purchase, The Dillon Fund Gift, 1982
  • Object Number: 1982.1.4
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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