Birds, bamboo, and camelias

Object Details

• Artist

  Formerly attributed to Lin Chun (active late 12th century)

• Label

  Two ashy drongo-like birds and three spotted-neck doves rest on the camellia branches. The intense deep red camellias silhouetted against the green leaves and bamboos are startling. Six songbirds huddling together on the bending bamboo conclude the scroll.

  This painting was executed around 1700; a signature of the 12th century court painter Lin Ch'un was interpolated at the end of the scroll.

• Provenance

  To 1909

  Riu Cheng Chai, Beijing, to 1909 [1]

  From 1909 to 1919

  Charles Lang Freer (1854-1919), purchased from Riu Cheng Chai, Beijing, in 1909 [2]

  From 1920

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

  Notes:

  [1] See Original Kakemono and Makimono List, L. 678, Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Archives. This object exhibits seals, colophons, or inscriptions that could provide additional information regarding the object’s history; see Curatorial Remarks in the object record for further details.

  [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.

• Collection

  Freer Gallery of Art Collection

• Exhibition History

  Winged Spirits: Birds in Chinese Painting (February 11 to August 5, 2012)

  Chinese Bird and Flower Painting (December 17, 1993 to May 31, 1994)

  Masterpieces of Chinese Painting (II) (May 9, 1993 to May 31, 1994)

  Chinese Bird and Flower Painting (January 27, 1986 to June 30, 1986)

  Chinese Flower Paintings (March 18 to September 22, 1983)

  Untitled Exhibition, Chinese Painting and Calligraphy, 1943 (October 4, 1943 to August 7, 1946)

  Untitled Exhibition, Chinese Paintings, 1924 (June 2, 1924 to March 14, 1931)

  Chinese Panels and Scrolls (May 2, 1923 to June 2, 1924)

• Previous custodian or owner

  Riu Cheng Chai (C.L. Freer source)

  Charles Lang Freer (1854-1919)

• Origin

  China

• Credit Line

  Gift of Charles Lang Freer

• Type

  Painting

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  1720s, 1680s

• Name

  Freer, Charles Lang, Riu Cheng Chai

• Place

  China

• Topic

  Charles Lang Freer collection, Bird and flower, Art, Animals, Camellia, Chinese Art, Qing dynasty (1644 - 1911), Birds, Bamboo

• Culture

  Chinese

• Object Type

  Paintings