Artwork
清 錢維城 景數四氣,冬景圖 冊|Winter Landscapes and Flowers

清 錢維城 景數四氣,冬景圖 冊|Winter Landscapes and Flowers is an ink painting by the Baroque artist Qian Weicheng. It dates from 1746 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
Its subject matter features floral motifs rendered within winter scenes, and the piece is categorized as a landscape painting.
The album, titled Winter Landscapes and Flowers, was produced as part of a twelve‑painting series by Qian Weicheng in 1746, using ink and colored pigments on paper. Its subject matter features floral motifs rendered within winter scenes, and the piece is categorized as a landscape painting. According to the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s catalogue, the album was made in China and entered the museum’s collection, representing a notable example of Qing dynasty artistic practice.
Technique & Style
The work is executed as part of a twelve‑leaf album, with each leaf painted in ink and subtle polychrome watercolor on paper; the paper sheets are bound together to form a handheld support typical of Qing‑era albums. Qian Weicheng’s handling of the brush produces fine, controlled strokes that render a snow‑covered scene punctuated by delicate blossoms, a composition that merges winter landscape with floral motif. The medium of ink with restrained color, together with the album format, reflects the literati preference for intimate, multi‑panel narratives.
The painting is documented in the Metropolitan Museum of Art collection, dated 1746, and originates from China, confirming its Chinese artistic context. Condition details are not recorded in the available records.
History & Provenance
The album titled Winter Landscapes and Flowers, consisting of twelve ink and color paintings on paper, was created by the artist Qian Weicheng in 1746. Executed in China, the work depicts landscapes and flowers, specifically focusing on winter scenes. While the specific commissioning patron or the immediate chain of private ownership prior to its arrival at the Metropolitan Museum of Art is not detailed in the available records, the work is currently held within the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
The inception date is established as January 1, 1746, marking the completion of this landscape series during the Qing dynasty.
The album Winter Landscapes and Flowers by Qian Weicheng is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The work, created in 1746, is classified as a painting within the museum's holdings. While the specific accession or inventory number is not provided in the available records, the institution is confirmed as the current location of this twelve-page album of ink and color on paper. No specific exhibition history or display dates are documented in the provided sources.
Overview
“Winter Landscapes and Flowers” is an album leaf by the Qing dynasty artist Qian Weicheng, created in 1746. Rendered with ink and color on paper, this painting is part of a larger series, specifically illustrating a winter scene. It exemplifies the artist's approach to capturing natural elements within a small-scale format, characteristic of album paintings from this period.
Context
During the 18th century, Chinese artists frequently composed works in album formats, which offered an intimate alternative to large hanging scrolls. Qian Weicheng's “Winter Landscapes and Flowers” belongs to such an album, where individual pages often depicted different seasons. This approach allowed for a focused exploration of seasonal changes and specific natural motifs, inviting close contemplation from the viewer.
Artist & collection










