Flower and Bird
Zhang Xiong Chinese
Not on view
Zhang Xiong was a well established artist in Shanghai in the third quarter of the 19th century, and Ren Bonian, among others, sought him out as a teacher. when Wu Changshi first came to Shanghai he shared a room with Zhang "large enough to hold only two beds and a table to paint on."
Zhang had a literati training in calligraphy, poetry and painting. He is best known for works like this one in the refined style of the early Qing bird-and-flower master Yün Shouping. Here Zhang takes delight in the cool elegance of autumn:
Such a nostalgic autumn view!
Nature's colors, more beautiful than spring.
A bird smiles at featherlike leaves.
I am moved to paint this for a young friend.
[Trans. adapted from Ellsworth et al., Later Chinese Painting]
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