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Radishes and Mustard Greens

ca. 1965
Not on view
In his inscription to this painting, Zhang Daqian pays homage to Lin Yutang's admiration both for humor and for Su Shi by quoting a humorous line from Su Shi's poem "On Eating Light." It reads: "Radishes give birth to sons and mustard greens have grandsons." Su Shi was trying to eliminate meat from his diet in observance of the Buddhist decree not to kill. One can eat radishes and mustard greens without guilt because they continue to propagate after being harvested. Although Zhang Daqian became a vegetarian in the last few years of his life, he was still an unabashed meat-eater when he painted this scroll.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • 現代　張大千　蕪菁芥菜圖　軸
  • Title: Radishes and Mustard Greens
  • Artist: Chang Dai-chien (Chinese, 1899–1983)
  • Date: ca. 1965
  • Culture: China
  • Medium: Hanging scroll; ink and color on paper
  • Dimensions: Image: 34 1/2 x 17 5/8 in. (87.6 x 44.8 cm)
    Overall with mounting: 93 7/8 x 25 1/4 in. (238.4 x 64.1 cm)
    Overall with knobs: 93 7/8 x 29 in. (238.4 x 73.7 cm)
  • Classification: Paintings
  • Credit Line: The Lin Yutang Family Collection, Gift of Richard M. Lai, Jill Lai Miller, and Larry C. Lai, in memory of Taiyi Lin Lai, 2005
  • Object Number: 2005.509.24
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

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White Lotus, Chang Dai-chien Chinese, Hanging scroll; ink and color on paper, China
White Lotus
Chang Dai-chien
dated 1947
Mushrooms, Chang Dai-chien Chinese, Hanging scroll; ink and color on paper, China
Mushrooms
Chang Dai-chien
dated 1965
Through Ancient Eyes after Shitao , Chang Dai-chien Chinese, Hanging scroll; ink and color on paper, China

Through Ancient Eyes after Shitao

Chang Dai-chien
ca. 1920–22
Red Orchid, Chang Dai-chien Chinese, Two-sided folding fan mounted as an album leaf; ink and color on gold-flecked paper, China
Red Orchid
Chang Dai-chien
1950
Mountain Vegetables, Chang Dai-chien Chinese, Hanging scroll; ink and color on paper, China
Mountain Vegetables
Chang Dai-chien
dated 1965

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