Artwork
元 佚名 古木寒鴉圖 團扇|Crows and Bare Trees in Winter
元 佚名 古木寒鴉圖 團扇|Crows and Bare Trees in Winter is an ink painting. It dates from 1300 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This painting, titled "Crows and Bare Trees in Winter," is an anonymous work from the Yuan dynasty.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The juxtaposition of the ancient, gnarled trees with the crows creates a visual narrative centered on the quiet endurance of nature during the colder months.
The work depicts a winter landscape featuring bare trees and birds, specifically identified as crows. Set against a stark, cold environment, the imagery of leafless branches and the presence of these birds establishes a scene of seasonal desolation. As a landscape painting from the Yuan dynasty, the composition uses these natural elements to evoke the atmosphere of winter.
The juxtaposition of the ancient, gnarled trees with the crows creates a visual narrative centered on the quiet endurance of nature during the colder months.
Technique & Style
Created around 1300, this work is executed in ink and color on silk. Originally a fan, the painting has been remounted as an album leaf, a common preservation method for such formats. The composition depicts a landscape featuring bare trees and birds, characteristic of the genre. The support material is silk, which serves as the ground for the ink and pigment application.
The physical dimensions of the mounted piece measure 41.6 cm in height and 37.3 cm in width. The style reflects the Yuan dynasty tradition of anonymous landscape painting, focusing on the stark contrast between the leafless branches and the avian subjects.
History & Provenance
Crows and Bare Trees in Winter is an anonymous Chinese painting dated to the early fourteenth century, recorded as having been made in China around 1300. It was executed as a fan mounted as an album leaf using ink and color on silk, a format typical of Song-Yuan works. The piece is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and its provenance is limited to its acquisition by the museum, with no earlier ownership records documented.
The work depicts a winter landscape of bare trees and perching birds, reflecting contemporary aesthetic interests in nature and transience.
Overview
This painting, titled "Crows and Bare Trees in Winter," is an anonymous work from the Yuan dynasty. Originally a fan, it has been mounted as an album leaf, executed with ink and color on silk. The composition depicts a tranquil winter scene, characterized by its serene atmosphere and understated aesthetic.
Context
Originally conceived as a circular fan, this painting reflects a common practice in ancient China where fans served as canvases for artistic expression. The transformation into an album leaf allowed for its preservation and appreciation as a standalone artwork. This format highlights the versatility of silk as a medium and the integration of art into everyday objects during the period.
Artist & collection
