Plum Blossoms and Bird

Artist Fang Zhaoling (Chinese, 1914 - 2006)

Date1953

MaterialsInk and colors on mulberry paper

DimensionsH. 23 3/4 in x W. 18 1/2 in, H. 60.3 cm x W. 47 cm (image); H. 32 in x W. 22 in, H. 81.3 cm x W. 55.9 cm (overall)

Credit LineGift of the artist's children

Object number2005.23

DepartmentChinese Art

ClassificationsPainting

On View

Not on view

InscribedInscribed: It has been ten years since I inscribed this painting. Though painted in Hong Kong, I wrote the colophon when I was at Oxford University. The painting was done around 1953 in Hong Kong, three years after the death of Xuanzhou. From Professor Chao (Shao-an) I learned brush work and composition. The old garden should be fine I look for it in my dreams Zhaoling recording old verses Seals: Liangqi Fang shi; Zhaoling zhiyin. When I was young I stayed at the X Garden north of Wuxi. I remembered I was fascinated by the plum blossoms during the height of the blooming season. I have been away from my native place for ten years. I wonder when I will return?

More Information

Inscribed:
It has been ten years since I inscribed this painting. It was painted in Hong Kong, but I wrote the colophon when I was at Oxford University. The painting was done around 1953 in Hong Kong, three years after the death of Xuanzhou. From Professor Chao I learned brushwork and composition.

The old garden should be fine
I look for it in my dreams
Zhaoling recording old verses
When I was young I stayed at the garden north of Wuxi. I remember I was fascinated by the plum blossoms during the height of the blooming season. I have been away from my native place for ten years. I wonder when I will return.

As Fang Zhaoling mentioned in the colophon on this painting, after moving to Hong Kong she studied with the painter Chao Shao-an (1905.1998). Here she followed the master in her choice of subject, brushwork, ink tonalities, and colors. Fang often added inscriptions to earlier works of hers that had remained in her hands. While she did not sign or date this work when she created it, she returned to it at least twice and added comments about the death of her husband (Xuanzhou), her longing for her home, and her stay at Oxford.