Cleveland Museum of Art

Eagle on a Tree Trunk

Huang Shen

Date

1755

Medium

Hanging scroll; ink and color on paper

Culture

China, Qing dynasty (1644–1911), Qianlong reign (1736–95)

Department

Chinese Art

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

Huang Shen’s swift painting style is paralleled in his calligraphy. The vertical line in running script echoes the fluid form of the eagle on a tree trunk covered with a twisted vine. A native of Fujian province, Huang came to Yangzhou in 1724 to make his living as a painter. He needed years to develop a style that met the taste of his clients. He eventually became known as a figure painter and as one of the Eccentrics from Yangzhou, a group of local artists known for their unorthodox painting style. With its wings partially lifted and sharp beak open in expectation, the eagle seems intent on some unseen prey below.

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