Lone Rooster Summons the Spring
Chang Ku-nien
Description
Chang Ku-nien
Chinese, 1906–1987
Lone Rooster Summons the Spring
1981
Hanging scroll, Ink and color on paper
Gift of Dr. Cheng-Yang and Mrs. Shirley Chang, 2006/1.112
Lone Rooster has notably expressive outlining and is enlivened by areas of vibrant red. Its decorative character is enhanced by the use of “cloud-dragon paper” (yunlong zhi), which has patterns suggesting these motifs. This work is reminiscent of the Shanghai school both in its subject and style. The rooster, which belonged to the traditional genre of bird-and- flower paintings popular in the Shanghai school, may have been chosen to commemorate the Chinese year of the rooster. Shanghai school painting, which was patronized largely by merchants, often had a strongly decorative character, combining broad calligraphic brushstrokes in ink and vivid colors.
Subject Matter:
This work is reminiscent of the Shanghai school both in its subject and style. Shanghai school painting, which was patronized largely by merchants, often had a strongly decorative character, combining broad calligraphic brushstrokes in ink and vivid colors. Lone Rooster has notably expressive outlining and is enlivened by areas of vibrant red. Its decorative character is enhanced by the use of “cloud-dragon paper” (yunlong zhi), the pattern of which resembles clouds and dragons. The rooster, which belonged to the traditional genre of bird-and-flower paintings popular in the Shanghai school, may have been chosen as a subject to commemorate the Chinese year of the rooster.
Physical Description:
The Rooster is singled out by its expressive outlining brushwork and the vibrant red color of the comb. Its decorative flavor is also enhanced by using a specific type of paper called “cloud-dragon paper” (yunlong zhi), as the pattern of décor resembles motifs of cloud and dragon. Vertical calligraphic text in in the upper left corner.
Usage Rights:
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