Artwork
Eagle on a Tree Trunk
Eagle on a Tree Trunk is an unspecified painting by the Qing dynasty painting artist Huang Shen. It dates from 1755 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
Executed by Huang Shen in 1755, the painting presents this specific avian and arboreal arrangement within the context of Chinese painting traditions.
The work depicts an eagle perched upon a tree trunk, a composition that directly informs its title and visual subject. Executed by Huang Shen in 1755, the painting presents this specific avian and arboreal arrangement within the context of Chinese painting traditions. While the visual focus remains on the bird and the wood, the provided sources do not elaborate on specific iconographic interpretations, symbolic meanings, or what the eagle represents within this particular composition.
History & Provenance
The painting Eagle on a Tree Trunk was created in 1755 by the Chinese artist Huang Shen (1687–1772), as indicated by the artist’s inscription on the work.
The painting entered the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is held as accession number 1977.31. Its provenance within the museum’s holdings begins with this acquisition, and no earlier ownership chain or commission details are recorded in the available sources.
Eagle on a Tree Trunk is held by the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is catalogued under accession number 1977.31. This painting was created by Huang Shen in 1755 and entered the museum's collection as part of its 1977 acquisitions. It has been exhibited in the museum's permanent collection displays focused on Chinese painting.
The work was accessioned into the Cleveland Museum of Art in 1977 and is part of their collection of Chinese artworks. It has been featured in exhibitions highlighting 18th-century Chinese artists, including displays of works from the Qing dynasty.
Overview
Created in 1755 by Huang Shen, a Qing‑dynasty painter from Ninghua in Fujian, Eagle on a Tree Trunk presents a solitary eagle poised on a darkened log. The bird faces left, its wings extended and head turned, while its talons clutch the trunk, conveying a moment of heightened alertness.
Technique & Style
Executed with bold, sweeping brushstrokes, the work contrasts dark, vigorous strokes that form the trunk with lighter, more delicate touches rendering the eagle’s plumage. The handling of light and shadow creates a subtle chiaroscuro effect, enhancing the sense of movement and dramatic tension.
Artist & collection
Artist
Huang Shen (1687–1772) was a Chinese painter during the Qing Dynasty. Huang was born in Ninghua, Fujian province, to a poor family. His courtesy names were Gongshou (恭壽) and Gongmao (恭懋). His pseudonym was Yingpiaozi…
