Night-blooming Cereus
Wu Hufan's delicate sensibilities in the literati manner are evident in this collaborative effort among two calligraphers and the painter. The cereus, a species of cactus that flowers only briefly is used as a metaphor for intense loveliness savored with the knowledge that it will not endure.
The poet renders a botanically accurate description of the sweet-scented flower:
The flower blooms from the tip of the leaf.
Its purple armor is covered by the rosy clouds of dawn.
The yellow stamen sits in a jade bowl,
And its hair-like curly petals are uneven.
[Trans. Ellsworth et al, Later Chinese Painting]
The poet renders a botanically accurate description of the sweet-scented flower:
The flower blooms from the tip of the leaf.
Its purple armor is covered by the rosy clouds of dawn.
The yellow stamen sits in a jade bowl,
And its hair-like curly petals are uneven.
[Trans. Ellsworth et al, Later Chinese Painting]
Artwork Details
- 現代 吳湖帆 曇花圖 軸
- Title: Night-blooming Cereus
- Artist: Wu Hufan (Chinese, 1894–1968)
- Date: dated 1940
- Culture: China
- Medium: Hanging scroll; ink and color on alum paper
- Dimensions: 37 1/8 x 13 1/2 in. (94.3 x 34.3 cm)
- Classification: Paintings
- Credit Line: Gift of Robert Hatfield Ellsworth, in memory of La Ferne Hatfield Ellsworth, 1986
- Object Number: 1986.267.303
- 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.
Wu Hufan
dated 1956
Wu Hufan
dated 1943
Wu Hufan
dated 1945
On loan to The Met
Wu Hufan
1950
Yi Yong-u (artist name: Mungno)
probably 1940s
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.