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Exhibition

Noble Virtues: Nature as Symbol in Chinese Art

Overview Exhibition Objects

Windblown bamboo, Yang Han Chinese, Hanging scroll; ink on paper, China — Windblown bamboo
Yang Han
1686

Orchids and bamboo, Zheng Xie Chinese, Handscroll; ink on paper, China — Orchids and bamboo
Zheng Xie
dated 1742

Censer decorated with the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove
, Porcelain painted in underglaze cobalt blue (Jingdezhen ware), China — Censer decorated with the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove
China
ca. 1640

Bamboo copied after Wen Tong, Ke Jiusi Chinese, Hanging scroll; ink on silk, China — Bamboo copied after Wen Tong
Ke Jiusi
dated 1343

Brush Holder, Gu Jue Chinese, Bamboo with hardwood rim and base, China — Brush Holder
Gu Jue

Bamboo and rocks, Li Kan Chinese, Pair of hanging scrolls; ink and color on silk, China — Bamboo and rocks
Li Kan
dated 1318

Brush holder decorated with garden scene, Bamboo, China — Brush holder decorated with garden scene
China

Windblown bamboo, Xia Chang Chinese, Hanging scroll; ink on paper, China — Windblown bamboo
Xia Chang
ca. 1460

Bamboo in wind and rain, Shitao (Zhu Ruoji) Chinese, Hanging scroll; ink on paper, China — Bamboo in wind and rain
Shitao (Zhu Ruoji)
ca. 1694

Ink bamboo, Li Shan Chinese, Hanging scroll; ink on paper, China — Ink bamboo
Li Shan
dated 1749

Poems on painting plum blossoms and bamboo, Zhao Mengjian Chinese, Handscroll; ink on paper, China — Poems on painting plum blossoms and bamboo
Zhao Mengjian
dated 1260

Ink bamboo, Tang Yin Chinese, Handscroll; ink on paper, China — Ink bamboo
Tang Yin
early 16th century

Bamboo in a spring thunderstorm, Tang Yin Chinese, Folding fan mounted as an album leaf; ink on gold-flecked paper, China — Bamboo in a spring thunderstorm
Tang Yin
17th century

Bamboo and poem, Zhu Lu Chinese, Folding fan mounted as an album leaf; ink on gold-flecked paper, China — Bamboo and poem
Zhu Lu
early 17th century

Covered box decorated with the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove
, Porcelain painted in underglaze cobalt blue (Jingdezhen ware), China — Covered box decorated with the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove
China
ca. 1640

Bamboo, Wu Huayuan, Fan; ink on paper, China — Bamboo
Wu Huayuan
dated 1942

Wrist rest decorated with long beans, Jin Xiya Chinese, Bamboo carved in relief, China — Wrist rest decorated with long beans
Jin Xiya
1935

Wrist rest decorated with bamboo, Jin Xiya Chinese, Bamboo with intaglio carving, China — Wrist rest decorated with bamboo
Jin Xiya
1929

Carved fan with plum-blossom painting, Jin Xiya Chinese, Folding fan; ink and color on paper with carved bamboo frame, China — Carved fan with plum-blossom painting
Jin Xiya
Yuan Tanshu
carving dated 1924

Vase decorated with blossoming plum, Porcelain painted with cobalt blue under transparent glaze, China — Vase decorated with blossoming plum
China

Wintry plum, Ni Jing Chinese, Hanging scroll; ink and pale color on paper, China — Wintry plum
Ni Jing
14th century

Spring Breeze of Myriad Pasts, Zhang You Chinese, Hanging scroll; ink on silk, China — Spring Breeze of Myriad Pasts
Zhang You
mid-15th century

Jar decorated with plum blossoms, Stoneware with aubergine and turquoise glaze (Fahua ware), China — Jar decorated with plum blossoms
China
early 16th century

Covered jar decorated with blossoming plum and cracked ice, Porcelain painted with cobalt blue under transparent glaze, China — Covered jar decorated with blossoming plum and cracked ice
China
late 17th–early 18th century

Lu Fu

dated 1505

Album of Blossoming Plum, Li Fangying Chinese, Album of eight paintings; ink on paper, China — Album of Blossoming Plum
Li Fangying
1742

Plum in snow, Liu Shiru Chinese, Hanging scroll; ink on silk, China — Plum in snow
Liu Shiru

The Pure Whiteness of Winter, Xu Jing Chinese, Hanging scroll; ink on silk, China — The Pure Whiteness of Winter
Xu Jing
dated 1441

Bamboo, plum, and rock, Li Fangying Chinese, Hanging scroll; ink and color on paper, China — Bamboo, plum, and rock
Li Fangying
dated 1743

Blossoming plum, Jin Nong Chinese, Hanging scroll; ink on paper, China — Blossoming plum
Jin Nong
dated 1759

Vase decorated with blossoming plum, Porcelain painted with cobalt blue and copper red under transparent glaze, China — Vase decorated with blossoming plum
China

Old plum, Qi Baishi Chinese, Hanging scroll; ink on paper, China — Old plum
Qi Baishi
20th century

Plum blossoms, Jin Nong Chinese, Album of twelve leaves; ink on paper, China — Plum blossoms
Jin Nong
dated 1757

Pine Longevity, Wu Hufan Chinese, Hanging scroll; ink and color on paper, China — Pine Longevity
Wu Hufan
1950

Lofty Branches Like Phoenix Wings, Zhang Daqian Chinese, Hanging scroll; ink on paper, China — Lofty Branches Like Phoenix Wings
Zhang Daqian
1960

Pine tree and rock, Tang Di Chinese, Hanging scroll; ink on paper, China — Pine tree and rock
Tang Di
dated 1930

Flower holder in the form of pine and bamboo
, Rock crystal, China — Flower holder in the form of pine and bamboo
China
18th century

Old pine, Wen Zhengming Chinese, Hanging scroll; ink and color on silk, China — Old pine
Wen Zhengming
mid-16th century

Dragon pine, Wu Boli Chinese, Hanging scroll; ink on paper, China — Dragon pine
Wu Boli
late 14th–early 15th century

Jar decorated with auspicious characters amid plants, Porcelain painted in underglaze cobalt blue (Jingdezhen ware), China — Jar decorated with auspicious characters amid plants
China
late 16th century

Jar decorated with auspicious characters amid plants, Porcelain painted in underglaze cobalt blue (Jingdezhen ware), China — Jar decorated with auspicious characters amid plants
China

The Two Purities, Wu Changshuo Chinese, Hanging scroll; ink and color on paper, China — The Two Purities
Wu Changshuo
1922

Panel with five phoenixes in a garden, Silk tapestry (kesi), China — Panel with five phoenixes in a garden
China
18th century

Panel with five phoenixes in a garden, Silk tapestry (kesi), China — Panel with five phoenixes in a garden
China
18th century

Vase decorated with flowers and birds, Porcelain painted with colored enamels over transparent glaze, and colored enamels over "fire-red” glaze (Jingdezhen ware), China — Vase decorated with flowers and birds
China

Vase decorated with cranes amid clouds, Porcelain painted in overglaze enamels (Jingdezhen ware), China — Vase decorated with cranes amid clouds
China

Vase decorated with flowers, Porcelain painted in overglaze enamels (Jingdezhen ware), China — Vase decorated with flowers
China

Vase decorated with flowers, Porcelain painted in overglaze enamels (Jingdezhen ware), China — Vase decorated with flowers
China

Woman’s robe decorated with cranes amid clouds, Silk embroidery on silk satin, China — Woman’s robe decorated with cranes amid clouds
China
19th century

Crane in a bamboo grove, Unidentified artist Chinese, 14th–early 15th century, Hanging scroll; ink and color on silk, China — Crane in a bamboo grove
Unidentified artist
14th–early 15th century

Mountain scene in the form of pine, cranes, and immortals, Jade (nephrite), China — Mountain scene in the form of pine, cranes, and immortals
China
18th–19th century

Portrait of husband and wife, Unidentified artist , Chinese, late 18th–early 19th century, Hanging scroll; ink and color on silk, China — Portrait of husband and wife
Unidentified artist
late 18th–early 19th century

Woman’s robe decorated with crane medallions, Silk tapestry (kesi), China — Woman’s robe decorated with crane medallions
China
19th century

Cranes, peach tree, and China rose, Shen Quan Chinese, Hanging scroll; ink and color on silk, China — Cranes, peach tree, and China rose
Shen Quan
18th century

Crane, pine, and rock, Chen Zhaofeng Chinese, Set of four hanging scrolls mounted on a Japanese bi-fold screen; ink and color on silk, China — Crane, pine, and rock
Chen Zhaofeng
late 19th century

Lotus and waterbirds, Unidentified artist , active ca. 1300, Pair of hanging scrolls; ink and color on silk, China — Lotus and waterbirds
Unidentified artist
ca. 1300

Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva, Unidentified artist Chinese, 16th century, Hanging scroll; ink and color on silk, China — Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva
Unidentified artist
late 17th–early 18th century

Vase decorated with lotus flowers, Porcelain painted in overglaze polychrome enamels (Jingdezhen ware), China — Vase decorated with lotus flowers
China
mid-18th century

Red lotus and fish, Tang Guang Chinese, Hanging scroll; ink and color on paper, China — Red lotus and fish
Tang Guang

Crabapple, China rose, and Indian flycatcher, Shen Quan Chinese, Hanging scroll; ink and color on silk, China — Crabapple, China rose, and Indian flycatcher
Shen Quan
1750

Vase with flowers and birds of the four seasons
, Porcelain painted in overglaze polychrome enamels (Jingdezhen famille verte ware), China — Vase with flowers and birds of the four seasons
China
early 18th century

Peahen and hibiscus, Bian Lu Chinese, Hanging scroll; ink and color on silk, China — Peahen and hibiscus
Bian Lu
mid-14th century

Vase decorated with magnolia, hollyhocks, and pheasants, Porcelain painted in overglaze polychrome enamels (Jingdezhen ware), China — Vase decorated with magnolia, hollyhocks, and pheasants
China
early 18th century

Magnolia, crabapple, and tree peony, Silk embroidery on silk gauze, China — Magnolia, crabapple, and tree peony
China
late 17th–early 18th century

Leaf from the Ten Bamboo Studio Manual of Painting and Calligraphy, Individual leaf from a printed book; ink and color on paper, China — Leaf from the Ten Bamboo Studio Manual of Painting and Calligraphy
China
first edition printed in 1633

Leaf from the Ten Bamboo Studio Manual of Painting and Calligraphy, Individual leaf from a printed book; ink and color on paper, China — Leaf from the Ten Bamboo Studio Manual of Painting and Calligraphy
China
first edition printed in 1633

Leaf from the Ten Bamboo Studio Manual of Painting and Calligraphy, Individual leaf from a printed book; ink and color on paper, China — Leaf from the Ten Bamboo Studio Manual of Painting and Calligraphy
China
first edition printed in 1633

Leaf from the Ten Bamboo Studio Manual of Painting and Calligraphy, Individual leaf from a printed book; ink and color on paper, China — Leaf from the Ten Bamboo Studio Manual of Painting and Calligraphy
China
first edition printed in 1633

Leaf from the Ten Bamboo Studio Manual of Painting and Calligraphy, Individual leaf from a printed book; ink and color on paper, China — Leaf from the Ten Bamboo Studio Manual of Painting and Calligraphy
China
first edition printed in 1633

Leaf from the Ten Bamboo Studio Manual of Painting and Calligraphy, Individual leaf from a printed book; ink and color on paper, China — Leaf from the Ten Bamboo Studio Manual of Painting and Calligraphy
China
first edition printed in 1633

Leaf from the Ten Bamboo Studio Manual of Painting and Calligraphy, Individual leaf from a printed book; ink and color on paper, China — Leaf from the Ten Bamboo Studio Manual of Painting and Calligraphy
China
first edition printed in 1633

Leaf from the Ten Bamboo Studio Manual of Painting and Calligraphy, Individual leaf from a printed book; ink and color on paper, China — Leaf from the Ten Bamboo Studio Manual of Painting and Calligraphy
China
first edition printed in 1633

Leaf from the Ten Bamboo Studio Manual of Painting and Calligraphy, Individual leaf from a printed book; ink and color on paper, China — Leaf from the Ten Bamboo Studio Manual of Painting and Calligraphy
China
first edition printed in 1633

Page from the Ten Bamboo Studio Manual of Painting and Calligraphy, Hu Zhengyan , and others Chinese, Leaf from a printed book; ink and color on paper, China — Page from the Ten Bamboo Studio Manual of Painting and Calligraphy
Hu Zhengyan
first edition printed in 1633

Leaf from the Ten Bamboo Studio Manual of Painting and Calligraphy, Individual leaf from a printed book; ink and color on paper, China — Leaf from the Ten Bamboo Studio Manual of Painting and Calligraphy
China
first edition printed in 1633

Leaf from the Ten Bamboo Studio Manual of Painting and Calligraphy, Individual leaf from a printed book; ink and color on paper, China — Leaf from the Ten Bamboo Studio Manual of Painting and Calligraphy
China
first edition printed in 1633

Leaf from the Ten Bamboo Studio Manual of Painting and Calligraphy, Individual leaf from a printed book; ink and color on paper, China — Leaf from the Ten Bamboo Studio Manual of Painting and Calligraphy
China
first edition printed in 1633

Leaf from the Ten Bamboo Studio Manual of Painting and Calligraphy, Individual leaf from a printed book; ink and color on paper, China — Leaf from the Ten Bamboo Studio Manual of Painting and Calligraphy
China
first edition printed in 1633

Leaf from the Ten Bamboo Studio Manual of Painting and Calligraphy, Individual leaf from a printed book; ink and color on paper, China — Leaf from the Ten Bamboo Studio Manual of Painting and Calligraphy
China
first edition printed in 1633

Leaf from the Ten Bamboo Studio Manual of Painting and Calligraphy, Individual leaf from a printed book; ink and color on paper, China — Leaf from the Ten Bamboo Studio Manual of Painting and Calligraphy
China
first edition printed in 1633

Jar decorated with rock, peonies, and birds

, Porcelain painted in underglaze cobalt blue and overglaze enamels (Jingdezhen ware), China — Jar decorated with rock, peonies, and birds
China
mid- to late 17th century

Vase decorated with peonies and chrysanthemums

, Porcelain painted in underglaze cobalt blue and overglaze polychrome enamels (Jingdezhen ware), China — Vase decorated with peonies and chrysanthemums
China
mid-17th century

Vase decorated with bird on flowering plum, Porcelain painted in overglaze enamels (Jingdezhen ware), China — Vase decorated with bird on flowering plum
China
mid-17th century

Vase decorated with flowers, birds, and poems, Porcelain with powder blue glaze and gilding (Jingdezhen ware), China — Vase decorated with flowers, birds, and poems
China
dated 1709

Vase decorated with flowers and butterflies, Porcelain painted in underglaze cobalt blue, overglaze polychrome enamels, and gilding (Jingdezhen ware), China — Vase decorated with flowers and butterflies
China

Lotuses on a summer evening, Yun Shouping Chinese, Hanging scroll; ink and color on paper, China — Lotuses on a summer evening
Yun Shouping
likely 18th century

Vase decorated with auspicious animals, Soft paste porcelain painted in underglaze cobalt blue (Jingdezhen ware), China — Vase decorated with auspicious animals
China
early 18th century

Gourd-shaped vase with gourds on vines and bats, Porcelain painted in underglaze cobalt blue (Jingdezhen ware), China — Gourd-shaped vase with gourds on vines and bats
China
early 18th century

Vase decorated with bats and peaches amid scrolling floral vines and “double happiness” character, Porcelain painted in overglaze polychrome enamels (Jingdezhen ware), China — Vase decorated with bats and peaches amid scrolling floral vines and “double happiness” character
China

Vase decorated with bats and peaches amid scrolling floral vines, Porcelain painted in overglaze polychrome enamels (Jingdezhen ware), China — Vase decorated with bats and peaches amid scrolling floral vines
China

Woman’s ceremonial robe, Silk and metallic thread embroidery on silk satin, China — Woman’s ceremonial robe
China
first half 18th century

Vase decorated with floral medallions, Porcelain painted in overglaze enamels and gilding with engraved decoration (Jingdezhen ware), China — Vase decorated with floral medallions
China
mid-18th century

Welcoming spring, Unidentified artist Chinese, 14th–15th century, Silk embroidery on silk gauze, China — Welcoming spring
Unidentified artist
15th century

Autumn landscape with egrets and ducks, Lü Ji Chinese, Hanging scroll; ink and color on silk, China — Autumn landscape with egrets and ducks
Lü Ji
late 15th century

Three fish, Carnelian and white agate, China — Three fish
China
18th century

Portrait of a man in court robes with fur surcoat, Unidentified artist, Hanging scroll; ink and color on paper, China — Portrait of a man in court robes with fur surcoat
Unidentified artist
late 18th–early 19th century

Nine carp, Gong Gu ? Chinese, Set of four hanging scrolls, ink and color on paper, China — Nine carp
Gong Gu
19th century (?)

Table screen, converted to a wall panel, Ruan Yuan Chinese, Marble mounted in wood frame, China — Table screen, converted to a wall panel
Ruan Yuan
19th century

Painting table, Wood (huanghuali, Dalbergia odorifera), China — Painting table
China
late 16th–early 17th century

Yokeback armchair, Wood (huanghuali, Dalbergia odorifera), China — Yokeback armchair
China
17th century

Bird on a flowering branch, Zhang Chong Chinese, Folding fan mounted as an album leaf; ink on gold paper, China — Bird on a flowering branch
Zhang Chong
late 16th or early 17th century

Peony, Wang Wu Chinese, Folding fan mounted as an album leaf; ink and color on paper, China — Peony
Wang Wu
late 17th century

Rain on Laurel Blossoms, Xu Lin Chinese, Folding fan mounted as an album leaf; ink on gold-flecked paper, China — Rain on Laurel Blossoms
Xu Lin

Carnations and amaranthus, Yun Shouping Chinese, Folding fan mounted as an album leaf; color on paper, China — Carnations and amaranthus
Yun Shouping

Branch of blossoming plum, Xu Zonghao Chinese, Fan; ink and color on paper, China — Branch of blossoming plum
Xu Zonghao
dated 1945

The Five Nobilities, Yu Feian Chinese, Fan; ink and color on paper, China — The Five Nobilities
Yu Feian
mid-20th century

Hawk, pine, plum, and rock, Zhu Cheng Chinese, Hanging scroll; ink and color on paper, China — Hawk, pine, plum, and rock
Zhu Cheng
dated 1873

Eagle on a pine tree, Qi Baishi Chinese, Hanging scroll; ink on paper, China — Eagle on a pine tree
Qi Baishi
mid-20th century

Myriad Green Mountains, Wu Zuoren Chinese, Hanging scroll; ink and color on paper, China — Myriad Green Mountains
Wu Zuoren
dated 1982

Eagle, Gao Yong Chinese, Hanging scroll; ink on paper, China — Eagle
Gao Yong

Hawk with notes, Xie Zhiliu Chinese, Ink on paper, China — Hawk with notes
Xie Zhiliu
20th century

Dew-Moistened Pearls, Wu Changshuo Chinese, Hanging scroll; ink and color on paper, China — Dew-Moistened Pearls
Wu Changshuo
dated 1922

Cultivating Longevity, Chen Hengke Chinese, Hanging scroll; ink on paper, China — Cultivating Longevity
Chen Hengke
likely 1923

Rock and tree, Chen Hengke Chinese, Hanging scroll; ink and color on paper, China — Rock and tree
Chen Hengke
undated

Pine, Chen Banding Chinese, Hanging scroll; ink on paper, China — Pine
Chen Banding
dated 1923

Plum blossoms, Chen Banding Chinese, Hanging scroll; ink on paper, China — Plum blossoms
Chen Banding
1927

Shrimp, Qi Baishi Chinese, Hanging scroll; ink on paper, China — Shrimp
Qi Baishi
dated 1927

Five crabs, Qi Baishi Chinese, Hanging scroll; ink on paper, China — Five crabs
Qi Baishi
dated 1950

Flowering Calamus and Frogs, Qi Baishi Chinese, Hanging scroll; ink on paper, China — Flowering Calamus and Frogs
Qi Baishi
1950

Vase decorated with katydids, Porcelain painted with colored enamels over a transparent glaze (Jingdezhen ware), China — Vase decorated with katydids
China
1910s–20s

Vase decorated with katydids, Porcelain painted with colored enamels over a transparent glaze (Jingdezhen ware), China — Vase decorated with katydids
China
1910s–20s

Nandina, Qi Baishi Chinese, Hanging scroll; ink and color on paper, China — Nandina
Qi Baishi
undated

Lotus, Zhang Daqian Chinese, Hanging scroll; ink and color on paper, China — Lotus
Zhang Daqian
dated 1946

Lotus, Zhang Daqian Chinese, Hanging scroll; ink and color on paper, China — Lotus
Zhang Daqian
dated 1965

Lotus, Zhang Daqian Chinese, Hanging scroll; ink and color on paper, China — Lotus
Zhang Daqian
ca. 1980

Lotus, Shi Lu Chinese, Hanging scroll; ink and color on paper, China — Lotus
Shi Lu
undated