Phoenixes on a Paulownia Tree

Object Details

• Artist

  Formerly attributed to Huang Jubao (active mid-10th century)

• School/Tradition

  Zhe School

• Label

  A majestic male phoenix stands on one foot looking down on a female lying on the same branch. Swirls of clouds surrounding these mythological birds allude to their elevation-both in the tree and metaphorically, as good omens said to alight in the world when a virtuous ruler is on the throne. Therefore, this imagery had special importance at the court.

  Their magnificent crests and flowing plumage is typical of Ming-dynasty depictions of phoenixes as splendid images. Ink is the main substance of the painting but hints of turquoise and other colors now faded suggest that the original scroll created a lavish impression. Other similar versions of this composition were painted with a bright, gemlike palette. The birds are presented more as decorative subjects than as convincingly naturalistic studies of birds. This ornamental approach is consistent with the many designs of phoenixes that appear on Ming-dynasty textiles, porcelains, and carved lacquer ware.

• Provenance

  To 1917

  Li Wenqing (late 19th-early 20th century), Shanghai, to 1917 [1]

  From 1917 to 1919

  Charles Lang Freer (1854-1919), purchased from Li Wenqing, in New York, in 1917 [2]

  From 1920

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

  Notes:

  [1] See Original Kakemono and Makimono List, L. 1169, Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Archives. See also, Voucher No. 18, December 1916.

  [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)

  Luxury and Luminosity: Visual Culture and the Ming Court (July 3, 2004 to June 26, 2005)

  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)

  Centennial Exhibition, Gallery 18 (February 25, 1956 to February 4, 1957)

  Untitled Exhibition, Chinese Painting, Gallery 2, 1955 (April 11, 1955 to November 10, 1955)

  Untitled Exhibition, Chinese Painting and Calligraphy, 1947 (January 7, 1947 to April 11, 1955)

  Untitled Exhibition, Chinese Scrolls (July 19, 1943 to April 30, 1946)

  Untitled Exhibition, Chinese Painting and Ceramics (March 14, 1931 to March 22, 1943)

  Chinese Panels and Han Pottery (February 25, 1925 to July 19, 1943)

  Stone Sculpture, Buddhist Bronze, and Chinese Painting (May 2, 1923 to February 25, 1956)

• Previous custodian or owner

  Li Wenqing 李文卿 (ca. 1869-1931) (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

  1500s

• Name

  Freer, Charles Lang, Li, Wenqing

• Place

  China

• Topic

  Charles Lang Freer collection, Art, Chinese Art, Phoenix, Ming dynasty (1368 - 1644), Paulownia tree

• Culture

  Chinese

• Object Type

  Paintings