Plum Blossoms in Snow
Chang Ku-nien, Chen Shu-chen
Description
Chang Ku-nien
China, 1906–1987
Chen Shu-chen
China, 1908–2000
Plum Blossoms in Snow
Last half of 20th century
Hanging scroll, ink and light color on paper
Gift of Dr. Cheng-Yang and Mrs. Shirley Chang, 2006/1.129
Chang Ku-nien’s early painting career developed in Shanghai
under the tutelage of his uncle Feng Chaoran (1882–1954) and a
circle of traditional Chinese painters and calligraphers. Later
in life, he produced many paintings with friends and students
that recorded their close relationships, following the custom
of collaborative painting practiced by Qing dynasty (1644–1912)
literati (amateur scholar-artist) painters. The colophon explains
that Chang Ku-nien painted the background, while his wife
Shu-chen, an accomplished calligrapher, painted the plum tree
and bamboo and also inscribed the work. The painting depicts a
lively winter landscape, a favorite subject of Chang’s throughout
his career. Beneath the snow a plum tree blossoms and vigorous
bamboo emerges, splendidly heralding spring.
Subject Matter:
Creating cooperative works with peer artists has been a fashion closely connected to the literati’s painting concept and practice. As modes of personal expressions, according to literati theory, paintings are created for private occasions and are shared and appreciated among circles of friends. The cooperative work celebrates respectful mutual relationships and reinforce affections among the painters participated.
In Plum Blossoms in Snow, reported in the inscription by Chang’s wife, she painted blossoming plum and snowy bamboos and her husband finished the rest--the tree trunks and rocks. Blossoming plum in snow symbolizes extreme purity and durability, since tender plum buds always courageously bloom while snow of early spring is still on the ground.
Physical Description:
In this snowy scene a plum tree and rock seem are seen atop a hill. The elegant, contorted trunk and branches of the tree create a visual arch over the image, framing the rock, snow, and block of calligraphic text below.
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