Wang Shilu Releasing Cranes in the Shade of a Willow

Object Details

• Artist

  Bian Yongyu (1645-1712)

• Description

  Bian Yongyu depicts Wang Shilu under a willow tree. He is at leisure with a feathered fan in one hand and a wine cup in the other. His robes lay loose across his chest and a serving-boy is at the ready to refill his master's cup. Another young servant snoozes while hiding in front of a rock. In the background, four cranes fly to their freedom against a backdrop of a mountain peak. A lotus-studded stream meanders from the foreground into the distance. The painting has heavy, bright pigments.

  Outside label: inscription: title; signature; seals (one).

• Signatures

  Signature on outside label

• Marks

  One seal

• Inscriptions

  (Stephen D. Allee, 1995) Outside label, in x script: Bian Lingzhi hui Wang Xiqiao liuyin fanghe tu zhizhu; guiyou dahan hou sanri, Youhuilu chongzhuang (Wang Xiqiao releasing cranes in the shade of a willow, hanging scroll painted by Bian Lingzhi; remounted at/by Youhuiliu [?], three days after 'great cold' in the guiyou year [ca. late January, 1814/1874/1934?]); no signature or seals.

  Artist's title, one column in seal script: Xiqiao xiansheng liuyin fanghe tu (Master Xiqiao releasing cranes in the shade of a willow).

  Artist's signature, in standard script: Menren Bian Yongyu jin hui (respectfully painted by your pupil, Bian Yongyu).

• Collection

  Freer Gallery of Art Collection

• Exhibition History

  Facing East: Portraits from Asia (July 1 to September 4, 2006)

  In Human Form: Images of the Secular and Divine in Chinese Painting (January 31, 1996 to January 7, 1997)

• Origin

  China

• Credit Line

  Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment

• Type

  Painting

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  1670s, 1660s

• Name

  Bian, Yongyu

• Place

  China

• Topic

  Water, Wine and wine making, Mountains, Fans, Art, Chinese Art, Qing dynasty (1644 - 1911), Willow tree, Portraits, Rivers, Crane

• Culture

  Chinese

• Object Type

  Paintings