清 八大山人（朱耷） 蓮塘戲禽圖 卷|Birds in a lotus pond
The Met
Artist: Bada Shanren (Zhu Da)(Chinese, 1626–1705)
Date: ca. 1690
Department: Asian Art
Classification: Paintings
Medium: Handscroll; ink on satin
Dimensions: 10 3/4 x 80 3/4 in. (27.3 x 205.1 cm)
Credit Line: Bequest of John M. Crawford Jr., 1988
Visual Descriptions
AI GeneratedVisual Summary
Brief Description
Three birds, two large and one small, on a light background with faint ink washes
Detailed Description
This horizontal ink wash painting features three birds rendered in varying shades of black and gray against a light, unadorned background. The composition is arranged from left to right, with two prominent dark birds in the foreground and a third, partially visible bird on the right. On the far left, a large, dark bird stands, its head tilted sharply upwards with an open beak. Its body is a solid mass of dark ink, with lighter gray details on its wing. Perched on its back is a smaller bird, lighter in color with distinct black and white striped or spotted patterns on its back and head. This smaller bird also looks upwards. A faint, horizontal line of light ink extends from beneath the large bird towards the left edge. In the center of the painting, another large, dark bird is depicted in a walking posture, facing towards the right but with its head turned back over its shoulder towards the left. Its body is similarly rendered with broad, dark ink strokes, and it has thin, dark legs. Behind and below this central bird are soft, cloudy masses of gray ink wash. Towards the right side, a gnarled, dark branch extends diagonally upwards from the lower right corner. Perched on a thinner part of this branch, higher up, is the third bird. Only its head and upper body are clearly visible, rendered with lighter ink and distinct patterns, similar to the small bird on the left. Its head is turned towards the left. Above and around this bird are more subtle, light gray ink washes.
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