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Herdboy and Buffalo

dated 1890
Not on view
Throughout his career Ren explored the expressive qualities of various brush manners. In the 1880s he was particularly interested in the effects of colored wash and loose, impressionistic brushwork, and created pictures such as this softly brushed fan. The Chan (Zen) theme of herding one's nature toward enlightenment, as a herdboy guides his wayward buffalo, derives from Song-dynasty illustrations.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • 清 任頤 童子水牛 扇面
  • Title: Herdboy and Buffalo
  • Artist: Ren Yi (Ren Bonian) (Chinese, 1840–1896)
  • Period: Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
  • Date: dated 1890
  • Culture: China
  • Medium: Folding fan mounted as an album leaf; ink and color on alum paper
  • Dimensions: 7 1/2 x 21 3/8 in. (19.1 x 54.3 cm)
  • Classification: Paintings
  • Credit Line: Gift of Robert Hatfield Ellsworth, in memory of La Ferne Hatfield Ellsworth, 1986
  • Object Number: 1986.267.48
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art
More Artwork
Scholar on a rock, Ren Yi (Ren Bonian)  Chinese, Folding fan mounted as an album leaf; ink and color on paper, China
Ren Yi (Ren Bonian)
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Archer's Ring (清   扳指), Bone, Chinese
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Squirrel and Grape, Liu Deliu  Chinese, Folding fan mounted as an album leaf; ink and color on alum paper, China
Liu Deliu
dated 1868
Animals, Flowers and Birds, Ren Yi (Ren Bonian)  Chinese, Album of eight leaves; ink and color on paper, China
Ren Yi (Ren Bonian)
19th century
Ceremonial Armor for a High Ranking Official, Steel, copper, gold, silk, metallic thread, Chinese
Chinese
18th century

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