Who painted Flowers and Birds?

Flowers and Birds was painted by Qian Xuan in 1325-01-01.

Where can I see Flowers and Birds?

Flowers and Birds is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Flowers and Birds?

Flowers and Birds is associated with Ming dynasty painting.

Can I buy a print of Flowers and Birds?

Museum-quality prints of Flowers and Birds are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Flowers and Birds by Qian Xuan (1325) · Artifact World Gallery

About this work

Subject & Meaning

Together, these entries establish the subject matter and iconographic elements of the artwork.

The work titled “Flowers and Birds” shows a small bird perched amid a scattering of cherry blossoms, a composition that highlights natural subjects characteristic of 14th‑century Chinese painting. The depicted bird and blossoms serve as visual motifs that reference seasonal cycles and fleeting beauty, yet the available documentation does not specify further symbolic meaning. records the piece as a 1325 painting by Qian Xuan, while confirms the depiction of a bird and cherry blossom and notes its location in the Cleveland Museum of Art. Together, these entries establish the subject matter and iconographic elements of the artwork.

History & Provenance

Flowers and Birds is attributed to Qian Xuan, a Chinese artist active during the thirteenth and early fourteenth centuries. The painting bears an inception date of 1325 and is recorded as having been produced in China. It is now held within the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is catalogued under accession number 1970.70, indicating that the work entered the museum's holdings in 1970.

The sources do not provide further detail regarding an earlier ownership chain, the circumstances of its commission, or any intermediate custodians between its creation and its acquisition by the Cleveland Museum of Art.

The painting Flowers and Birds by Qian Xuan, dated to 1325, is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Within the institution's records, the work is identified by the accession number 1970.70. The museum serves as the current location for this depiction of birds and cherry blossoms created in China.

While the artwork's inception and creator are well-documented, the provided sources do not list specific past exhibitions or a detailed provenance history beyond its current institutional ownership.

Overview

Qian Xuan, a Chinese painter from Huzhou, created Flowers and Birds in 1325. This painting, now part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection, captures a moment in nature. It was produced during the pivotal era between the Song and Yuan dynasties, reflecting the artistic currents of the time. The work features avian subjects amidst flora, a common theme in Chinese art.

Technique & Style

The painting demonstrates a refined approach to color and form. Subtle gradations in color are employed to achieve a sense of depth and three-dimensionality within the composition. The flowers and leaves are depicted with a varied palette of greens, pinks, and whites, lending the surface a rich texture and visual complexity. This careful execution highlights the artist's skill in naturalistic representation.

Artist & collection

Artist

Qian Xuan

Qian Xuan (simplified Chinese: 钱选; traditional Chinese: 錢選; pinyin: Qián Xuǎn; Wade–Giles: Ch'ien Hsüan; 1235–1305), courtesy name Shun Ju (舜举), pseudonyms Yu Tan (玉潭, "Jade Pool"), Xi Lanweng (习嬾翁), and Zha Chuanweng…