Cicada

dated 1852

Not on view

Wu paints the cicada clinging to an autumn willow branch in the wet-ink manner of the 18th century Yangzhou Eccentrics. A willow branch suits Wu's calligraphic talent. As with bamboo painting, willow painting demands that each nuance of a leaf's form and texture be conveyed by a single line.

Artwork Details

清吳熙載蟬柳扇面
Title: Cicada
Artist: Wu Xizai (Chinese, 1799–1870)
Period: Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Date: dated 1852
Culture: China
Medium: Folding fan mounted as an album leaf; ink and color on alum paper
Dimensions: 7 1/8 x 20 3/8 in. (18.1 x 51.8 cm)
Classification: Paintings
Credit Line: Gift of Robert Hatfield Ellsworth, in memory of La Ferne Hatfield Ellsworth, 1986
Object Number: 1986.267.21
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

By Wu Xizai

In the same medium

From the same time and place

Nutgrass Grows on the Southern Hills, Wu Xizai Chinese, Set of four hanging scrolls; ink on paper, China — Nutgrass Grows on the Southern Hills
Wu Xizai
before 1862

Imperial Knife with Sheath, Steel, lapis lazuli, turquoise, pink stone, gold, enamel, Chinese — Imperial Knife with Sheath
Chinese
18th century

Plum, Jin Lan Chinese, Folding fan mounted as an album leaf; ink and color on alum paper, China — Plum
Jin Lan
1886

Apricot, Wu Xizai Chinese, Folding fan mounted as an album leaf; ink and color on alum paper, China — Apricot
Wu Xizai
19th century

Dish, Porcelain, Chinese, for American market — Dish
Chinese, for American market
ca. 1860–66

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