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Crabapple and Gardenia

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At A Glance

Period

late 13th-early 14th century
Geography

China
Material

Ink and color on paper
Dimension

H x W (image): 29.3 x 78.3 cm (11 9/16 x 30 13/16 in)
Accession Number

F1917.183
EDAN ID

edanmdm:fsg_F1917.183

Object Details

Artist

Qian Xuan 錢選 (late 13th century)
Calligrapher

Inscription by Zhao Mengfu 趙孟頫 (1254-1322)
Provenance

To 1917

Probably Wanyan Jingxian (circa 1848 - circa 1927-29), Beijing, to 1917 [1]

From 1917 to 1919

Charles Lang Freer (1854-1919), probably purchased from Wanyan Jingxian, through Seaouke Yue (You Xiaoxi) (late 19th-early 20th century), Shanghai, and Pang Lai Chen (Pang Yuanji) (1864-1949), Shanghai, in Detroit in 1917 [2]

From 1920

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

Notes:

[1] According to Ingrid Larsen, "'Don’t Send Ming or Later Pictures': Charles Lang Freer and the First Major Collection of Chinese Painting in an American Museum," Ars Orientalis vol. 40 (2011), pg. 28 and pg. 38 (notes 146 and 147), Pang Yuanji and Seaouke Yue were paid a commission by Charles Lang Freer for facilitating the sale of five objects (F1917.183- .187) belonging to a "Peking gentleman." Larsen presents evidence and infers that Wanyan Jingxian was likely the unnamed Peking gentleman. See also, Original Kakemono and Makimono List, L. 1177, 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

Setting the Bar: Arts of the Song dynasty (October 14, 2017 - ongoing)

Masterpieces of Chinese Painting (IV) (June 12 to November 28, 2010)

Masterpieces of Chinese Painting (III) (May 29, 1999 to January 30, 2000)

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

Chinese Art (January 1, 1963 to March 6, 1981)

Chinese Paintings (June 5, 1957 to January 1, 1963)

Centennial Exhibition, North Corridor (February 25, 1956 to November 20, 1969)

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)

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

Ancient Chinese Paintings, Sculptures, and Jade Objects from the Collection formed by Charles Lang Freer (November 15 to December 08, 1917)
Previous custodian or owner

Wanyan Jingxian (ca. 1848-ca. 1927-29) (C.L. Freer source)

Charles Lang Freer (1854-1919)
Origin

China
Credit Line

Gift of Charles Lang Freer
Type

Painting
Restrictions and Rights

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