Artwork
Magpies and Wild Rabbits
Magpies and Wild Rabbits is an unspecified painting by the Song dynasty painting artist Li Yong. It dates from 1204 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- 1997.87
- Credit line
- Bequest of Mrs. A. Dean Perry
About this work
Overview
Created around 1204, “Magpies and Wild Rabbits” is a landscape painting by the Chinese artist Li Yong. The work is part of the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. It presents a tranquil outdoor scene rendered in muted earth tones, inviting the viewer into a quiet moment of nature.
Subject & Meaning
The composition features two rabbits positioned on a gentle grassy slope, one facing the viewer, the other curled in repose, while a solitary bird perches on a stark branch above them. The calm posture of the animals suggests a harmonious coexistence, a theme often associated with serenity and the subtle rhythms of the natural world.
Technique & Style
Li Yong employs restrained line work and soft shading to delineate forms, allowing the figures to emerge from a background of trees and shrubs. The palette is dominated by browns and muted greens, giving the surface a slightly faded, weathered appearance that enhances the painting’s contemplative atmosphere.
History & Provenance
The painting has been in the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings for several decades, though details of its acquisition remain limited. Its dating to the early thirteenth century places it within the Southern Song period, reflecting the era’s preference for understated, nature‑focused compositions.
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