清 張熊 八哥秋葵圖 軸|Flower and Bird

Zhang Xiong

dated 1878 · Hanging scroll; ink and color on paper · Asian Art

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]

Artist

Zhang Xiong

Date

dated 1878

Medium

Hanging scroll; ink and color on paper

Culture

China

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Gift of Robert Hatfield Ellsworth, in memory of La Ferne Hatfield Ellsworth, 1986