現代　張大千　蕪菁芥菜圖　軸|Radishes and Mustard Greens

Zhang Daqian

ca. 1965 · Hanging scroll; ink and color on paper · Asian Art

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.

Artist

Zhang Daqian

Date

ca. 1965

Medium

Hanging scroll; ink and color on paper

Culture

China

Department

Asian Art

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