Flower and Bird
Zhang Xiong was a well established artist in Shanghai in the third quarter of the 19th century, and Ren Bonian, among others, sought him out as a teacher. when Wu Changshi first came to Shanghai he shared a room with Zhang "large enough to hold only two beds and a table to paint on."
Zhang had a literati training in calligraphy, poetry and painting. He is best known for works like this one in the refined style of the early Qing bird-and-flower master Yün Shouping. Here Zhang takes delight in the cool elegance of autumn:
Such a nostalgic autumn view!
Nature's colors, more beautiful than spring.
A bird smiles at featherlike leaves.
I am moved to paint this for a young friend.
[Trans. adapted from Ellsworth et al., Later Chinese Painting]
Zhang had a literati training in calligraphy, poetry and painting. He is best known for works like this one in the refined style of the early Qing bird-and-flower master Yün Shouping. Here Zhang takes delight in the cool elegance of autumn:
Such a nostalgic autumn view!
Nature's colors, more beautiful than spring.
A bird smiles at featherlike leaves.
I am moved to paint this for a young friend.
[Trans. adapted from Ellsworth et al., Later Chinese Painting]
Artwork Details
- 清 張熊 八哥秋葵圖 軸
- Title: Flower and Bird
- Artist: Zhang Xiong (Chinese, 1803–1886)
- Period: Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
- Date: dated 1878
- Culture: China
- Medium: Hanging scroll; ink and color on paper
- Dimensions: 57 1/4 x 15 9/16 in. (145.4 x 39.5 cm)
- Classification: Paintings
- Credit Line: Gift of Robert Hatfield Ellsworth, in memory of La Ferne Hatfield Ellsworth, 1986
- Object Number: 1986.267.38
- 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.
Zhang Xiong
dated 1858
Zhang Xiong
dated 1827
Zhang Xiong
Zhang Xiong
Zhang Xiong
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.