Cleveland Museum of Art

Ink Bamboo

Date

1200s

Medium

hanging scroll; ink on silk

Culture

China, Southern Song dynasty (1127-1279)

Department

Chinese Art

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

This deceptively simple composition features two upright stalks of bamboo with leafy stems extended to fill the silk. The painter sensitively balanced ink tones and brushstrokes. The leaves that cross in front of other leaves are outlined in clear silk. In traditional Chinese culture, bamboo symbolizes a gentleman's virtuous resilience and flexibility.

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