Portrait of husband and wife

late 18th–early 19th century

Not on view

A married couple sits on a low, backless couch in an elegant and opulent garden setting. Around them is a virtual anthology of auspicious images: the arching pine that frames the image evokes long life; the red-crowned crane longevity and marital fidelity; the bamboo hardiness; the plum blossom new life; and so on. This double portrait was probably commissioned for a special occasion such as a milestone birthday. After the death of the sitters, descendants may have venerated it in the family shrine.

Artwork Details

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Provenance

Exhibition History

清佚名夫婦像軸
Title: Portrait of husband and wife
Artist: Unidentified artist , Chinese, late 18th–early 19th century
Period: Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Date: late 18th–early 19th century
Culture: China
Medium: Hanging scroll; ink and color on silk
Dimensions: Image: 64 1/2 × 38 7/8 in. (163.8 × 98.7 cm)
Overall with mounting: 9 ft. 6 in. × 46 1/2 in. (289.6 × 118.1 cm)
Classification: Paintings
Credit Line: Purchase, Friends of Asian Art Gifts, 2015
Object Number: 2015.75
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

By Unidentified artist

In the same medium

A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.

Portrait of a Member of the Family (?) of Emperor Tongzhi (1862–74)

Unidentified artist

19th century

Illustrated Story of Yoshitsune, Unidentified artist, Monochrome woodblock print; ink on paper, Japan — Illustrated Story of Yoshitsune
Unidentified artist

Illustrated book

Unidentified artist

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.