A Beauty at the Window by a Plum Tree
A poem by Yu Ming's uncle, the poet Yu Yuan inspired this wistful, delicate painting:
Light frost nibbles the hibiscus bit by bit.
How many times has autumn come to the
silvered room screen?
There is an oath-mark on her jade arm and
traces of scent below her neck.
The center of the banana tree harbors as
many layers as a melancholy heart.
[Trans. adapted from Ellsworth et al., Later Chinese Painting]
Light frost nibbles the hibiscus bit by bit.
How many times has autumn come to the
silvered room screen?
There is an oath-mark on her jade arm and
traces of scent below her neck.
The center of the banana tree harbors as
many layers as a melancholy heart.
[Trans. adapted from Ellsworth et al., Later Chinese Painting]
Artwork Details
- 清/現代 俞明 梅窗仕女圖 軸
- Title: A Beauty at the Window by a Plum Tree
- Artist: Yu Ming (Chinese, 1884–1935)
- Date: dated 1928
- Culture: China
- Medium: Hanging scroll; ink and color on paper
- Dimensions: 36 3/4 x 16 7/8 in. (93.4 x 42.9 cm)
- Classification: Paintings
- Credit Line: Gift of Robert Hatfield Ellsworth, in memory of La Ferne Hatfield Ellsworth, 1986
- Object Number: 1986.267.148
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Yu Ming
dated 1921
Yu Ming
early 20th century
Yu Ming
early 20th century
Yu Ming
dated 1923
Yu Ming
early 20th century
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.