Who painted Chrysanthemums and Cabbage?

Chrysanthemums and Cabbage was painted by Cheng Tao in 1486-01-01.

Where can I see Chrysanthemums and Cabbage?

Chrysanthemums and Cabbage is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Chrysanthemums and Cabbage?

Chrysanthemums and Cabbage is associated with Ming dynasty painting.

Artwork

Chrysanthemums and Cabbage

Cheng Tao , 1494

Chrysanthemums and Cabbage is an unspecified painting by the Ming dynasty painting artist Cheng Tao. It dates from 1494 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

History & Provenance

Regarding its ownership history, the painting is currently held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Chrysanthemums and Cabbage is a painting executed by the Chinese artist Cheng Tao in 1486. The work was created in China during the late 15th century, a period when Tao was active. Regarding its ownership history, the painting is currently held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

The museum's records identify the work with the accession number 1960.40, indicating its acquisition by the institution in 1960.

Chrysanthemums and Cabbage is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art in Cleveland, Ohio. The work, created by Cheng Tao in 1486, carries the accession number 1960.40. The painting is identified as a Chinese artwork made in China during the late 15th century. No specific exhibition history is recorded in the provided sources.

Overview

Cheng Tao’s 1494 painting Chrysanthemums and Cabbage is a modestly sized, vertically oriented work in ink on paper. The composition is divided into two simple botanical studies: a cluster of leafy greens on the left and a handful of chrysanthemum blossoms on the right. Thin columns of black calligraphic script run along the borders, integrating text with image in a restrained, contemplative manner.

Subject & Meaning

The painting juxtaposes two everyday plants, a cabbage‑type leaf and chrysanthemum flowers, to evoke the dual themes of nourishment and seasonal change. The chrysanthemum, traditionally associated with autumn and scholarly refinement, contrasts with the humble cabbage, suggesting a balance between cultivated elegance and rustic sustenance within a quiet, meditative setting.

Technique & Style

Executed with loose, sketch‑like brushwork, Cheng Tao employs varying ink tones to delineate form without heavy detailing. The foliage is rendered in quick, gestural strokes, while the chrysanthemums appear in darker, more defined lines that stand out against a pale wash. The surrounding calligraphy is rendered in uniform black ink, reinforcing the work’s overall economy of means.

Context

During the Ming dynasty, scholar‑artists often combined poetry, calligraphy, and painting to express personal reflection. Cheng Tao’s work follows this tradition, using botanical subjects as a vehicle for literary expression. The integration of text and image mirrors the era’s ideal of the “three perfections,” where each art form enhances the others.