Herdboy and Buffalo
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
- 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
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Ren Yi (Ren Bonian)
late 19th century
Ren Yi (Ren Bonian)
19th century
Ren Yi (Ren Bonian)
19th century
Ren Yi (Ren Bonian)
dated 1889
Ren Yi (Ren Bonian)
late 19th century
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