Artwork
清 李方膺 梅竹石圖 軸|Bamboo, plum, and rock
清 李方膺 梅竹石圖 軸|Bamboo, plum, and rock is an ink painting by the Baroque artist Li Fangying. It dates from 1743 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
You see a tall scroll of black ink on paper: a knobby rock, a few bamboo stalks, and a single plum branch with tiny buds.
You see a tall scroll of black ink on paper: a knobby rock, a few bamboo stalks, and a single plum branch with tiny buds.
Li Fangying painted this in 1743, when scholars used simple brushstrokes to show strength and calm. The rock looks solid, the bamboo bends without breaking, and the plum blossoms haven’t opened yet, each plant stands for a different season, all in one quiet scene.
If you like this, look up the subject “bamboo, china, Bambusoideae” to see more ink paintings of the same plants.
Subject & Meaning
The painting shows three traditional motifs - bamboo, plum blossoms, and a rock - rendered in ink and color on a hanging scroll. In Chinese visual culture bamboo symbolizes integrity and humility, plum blossoms signify perseverance amid hardship, and the rock conveys steadfastness. Together they embody the Confucian virtues of moral resilience and scholarly refinement that Li Fangying, a Qing painter of the Yangzhou circle, sought to express in this 1743 work.
Technique & Style
Li Fangying executed Bamboo, Plum, and Rock in 1743 as a hanging scroll, applying ink and color onto a paper support. The work belongs to the literati tradition of plant subjects, combining bamboo with plum and rock motifs. Its handling reflects the expressive, spontaneous brushwork of the Yangzhou painters, balancing the sinuous lines of the bamboo and plum against the solid, textured handling of the stone. The piece is housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
History & Provenance
Li Fangying created Bamboo, Plum, and Rock in 1743 in China, executed as a hanging scroll employing ink and color on paper. Details of its original commission and subsequent ownership are not provided in the available sources. The painting is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Overview
Created in 1743, Li Fangying's 'Bamboo, Plum, and Rock' is a hanging scroll executed in ink and light color on paper. The composition features a vertical arrangement of a knobby rock, upright bamboo stalks, and a single plum branch bearing tiny buds. As a member of the Eight Eccentrics of Yangzhou, Li Fangying employed a vigorous, expressive brushwork style characteristic of his career, prioritizing the conveyance of inner spirit and resilience over strict realistic representation.
The rock is rendered with heavy, textured strokes to suggest solidity, while the bamboo is depicted with flexible, rhythmic lines that imply movement without breaking. The plum branch extends diagonally, introducing a sense of organic growth and seasonal renewal. This work exemplifies the scholar-painting tradition of the mid-18th century, where natural elements served as metaphors for moral character: the rock for steadfastness, the bamboo for integrity and adaptability, and the plum blossom for endurance in harsh conditions.
The painting reflects Li's personal aesthetic, which often combined bold, calligraphic strokes with a restrained palette to evoke a sense of quiet strength and scholarly refinement.
Context
Painted in 1743, this work aligns with the artistic and philosophical currents among Qing dynasty scholar-painters. During this period, artists often employed simple compositions and brushstrokes to convey profound concepts such as resilience and inner peace. The deliberate selection of bamboo, plum, and rock, combined with the understated execution, reflects a scholarly ideal that valued moral integrity and quiet contemplation over elaborate visual spectacle.
Artist & collection
