Who painted A Solitary Crane in the Bamboo Grove?

A Solitary Crane in the Bamboo Grove was painted by Tao Hong in 1612-01-01.

Where can I see A Solitary Crane in the Bamboo Grove?

A Solitary Crane in the Bamboo Grove is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is A Solitary Crane in the Bamboo Grove?

A Solitary Crane in the Bamboo Grove is associated with Ming dynasty painting.

Can I buy a print of A Solitary Crane in the Bamboo Grove?

Museum-quality prints of A Solitary Crane in the Bamboo Grove are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

A Solitary Crane in the Bamboo Grove

Tao Hong , 1612

A Solitary Crane in the Bamboo Grove is an unspecified painting by the Ming dynasty painting artist Tao Hong. It dates from 1612 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Technique & Style

The painting is executed on silk using ink and color pigments, reflecting traditional Chinese literati techniques of the early 17th century.

The painting is executed on silk using ink and color pigments, reflecting traditional Chinese literati techniques of the early 17th century. Depicted with minimalistic brushwork, the crane stands gracefully amid sparse bamboo stalks, emphasizing negative space and subtle tonal gradations characteristic of Song dynasty-inspired aesthetics. The composition balances delicate linework with restrained color application, conveying a meditative stillness through asymmetrical balance and controlled ink saturation.

The work measures 96.5 cm in height and 41.3 cm in width, mounted as a hanging scroll with silk brocade borders and a vermilion seal bearing the artist's name. Its condition remains stable, with no documented restoration history noted in the provenance record.

History & Provenance

A Solitary Crane in the Bamboo Grove was created by Tao Hong in 1612, as recorded in both the internal classification record and the Wikidata entry for the work. The painting was produced in China during the artist's active period of roughly 1610 to 1640. It is now held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is catalogued under accession number 1999.224.

The sources do not provide further details on the circumstances of its commission, earlier ownership, or chain of custody prior to its accession by the museum.

The sources do not specify a commissioner, patron, or intermediary owners for the work, nor do they document the circumstances under which it entered the Cleveland Museum of Art's holdings.

The painting A Solitary Crane in the Bamboo Grove by Tao Hong is part of the Cleveland Museum of Art's collection, listed under inventory number 1999.224. It was created in 1612 in China and has been exhibited in the museum's permanent collection displays.

Overview

A Solitary Crane in the Bamboo Grove, painted by Tao Hong in 1612, is part of the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. The composition presents a tranquil riverside setting where a lone crane perches on a stone amid towering bamboo, with distant hills shrouded in a gentle mist. The overall atmosphere is one of quiet contemplation.

Subject & Meaning

The work centers on a single crane, a traditional symbol of longevity and grace, positioned against a backdrop of bamboo, a plant associated with resilience. By isolating the bird within a serene landscape, Tao Hong emphasizes the harmony between nature’s stillness and subtle movement, inviting viewers to reflect on solitude and balance.