南宋 傳李迪 幽禽寒林圖 冊頁|Two Birds on a Wintry Tree
Li Di|Unidentified artist
13th century · Fan mounted as an album leaf; ink and color on silk · Asian Art
Two magpies, their feathers fluffed up against the cold, represent a warm reminder of the inevitability of spring. Such pictures of paired birds were often given as birthday gifts to elderly couples. The white heads of the birds and their long tail feathers are symbols of longevity, as is the ancient tree upon which they perch, for despite being covered with snow, the tree has already sprouted new growth—a sign of its enduring vigor.
- Artist
- Li Di|Unidentified artist
- Date
- 13th century
- Medium
- Fan mounted as an album leaf; ink and color on silk
- Culture
- China
- Department
- Asian Art
- Credit line
- Bequest of John M. Crawford Jr., 1988
