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Mr. Mei Makes an Exchange through Trickery

Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Not on view
Returned to lender
This work of art was on loan to the museum and has since been returned to its lender.
This print shows two lovers stepping through a moon gate into a bedroom under the cheerful gaze of a maid. The blossoming prunus (mei in Chinese) reaching over the garden fence signals early spring while punning on the male protagonist’s name for additional resonance between word and image. The scene was taken from a popular late Ming (1368–1644) drama entitled All Things Fulfilled.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Wanshizu Meishi qiaohuan
  • Title: Mr. Mei Makes an Exchange through Trickery
  • Period: Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
  • Culture: China
  • Medium: Woodblock print; color on paper
  • Dimensions: Image: 9 1/4 x 10 11/16 in. (23.5 x 27.2 cm)
    Overall: 12 3/16 x 13 7/8 in. (31 x 35.3 cm)
  • Classification: Prints
  • Credit Line: On loan from the British Museum
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art