Carrying a Zither while Searching for Plum Blossoms

Maker(s)
Artist: Formerly attributed to Ma Yuan 馬遠 (active late 12th-early 13th century)
Historical period(s)
Ming dynasty, early to mid-15th century
School
Zhe School
Medium
Hanging scroll mounted on panel; ink and color on silk
Dimensions
H x W (image): 149 x 97.3 cm (58 11/16 x 38 5/16 in)
Geography
China
Credit Line
Gift of Charles Lang Freer
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art Collection
Accession Number
F1919.125
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Painting
Type

Hanging scroll (mounted on panel)

Keywords
bamboo, China, cyprus tree, Ming dynasty (1368 - 1644), plum blossom, qin, zither
Provenance

To 1919
Wang Jiantang, Shanghai to 1919 [1]

1919
Charles Lang Freer (1854-1919), purchased from Wang Jiantang in 1919 [2]

From 1920
The Freer Gallery of Art, gift of Charles Lang Freer in 1920 [3]

Notes:

[1] See Original Kakemono and Makimono List, L. 1320, Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Archives.

[2] See note 1.

[3] The original deed of Charles Lang Freer's gift was signed in 1906. The collection was received in 1920 upon the completion of the Freer Gallery.

Previous Owner(s) and Custodian(s)

Charles Lang Freer 1854-1919
Wang Jiantang (C.L. Freer source) late 19th-early 20th century

Label

The thrusting branches of plum blossoms not only signify winter's end but also allude to this bearded scholar's search for poetic thoughts, traditionally believed to be inspired by a quest for plum blossoms. Carrying a wrapped zither, the attendant seems lost in poetic reverie as well. The pristine delicacy of the plum flowers symbolizes a lofty pureness of thought, the same quality suggested by the scholar's decision to bring a qin along for musical accompaniment.

Published References
  • Suiboku bijutsu taikei. 17 vols., Tokyo, 1973-1977. vol. 2 (1974): pl. 115.
Collection Area(s)
Chinese Art
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
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