Artwork
南宋？佚名 舊傳吳炳 枇杷八哥圖 團扇頁|Minah Bird on a Loquat Branch
南宋？佚名 舊傳吳炳 枇杷八哥圖 團扇頁|Minah Bird on a Loquat Branch is an ink painting by the Song dynasty painting artist After Wu Bing. It dates from 1130 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This artwork, titled Minah Bird on a Loquat Branch, is an ink and color painting on silk, originally a circular fan.
About this work
History & Provenance
Attributed to an anonymous painter of the Southern Song dynasty, it was traditionally ascribed to the artist Wu Bing.
This work is a fan leaf mounted as an album page, executed in ink and color on silk and measuring 31.1 cm in both height and width. Attributed to an anonymous painter of the Southern Song dynasty, it was traditionally ascribed to the artist Wu Bing. Originating in China, it depicts a bird perched on a loquat branch.
It is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The catalogue does not list an accession number, nor does it record any exhibition history for the piece.
Overview
This artwork, titled Minah Bird on a Loquat Branch, is an ink and color painting on silk, originally a circular fan. Dated to approximately 1130 during the Southern Song dynasty, its creator remains anonymous, though it was once attributed to the artist Wu Bing. The composition features a single bird perched on a branch laden with fruit, exemplifying the era's focus on naturalistic depictions.
Subject & Meaning
The painting centers on a small, alert minah bird poised on a branch. Its posture suggests an imminent departure, capturing a fleeting moment in nature. The branch itself is heavy with ripe, pale orange loquats, while the foliage is rendered with delicate ink washes. This intimate portrayal highlights the bird's vitality against the backdrop of abundant fruit.
Technique & Style
Executed in ink and color on silk, this piece was initially conceived as a handheld fan before being remounted as an album leaf. The artist employed soft ink for the leaves and subtle color for the fruit, demonstrating a refined approach to naturalistic detail. A characteristic of Chinese painting, the deliberate use of negative space around the central motif allows the viewer's gaze to settle on the subject.
Context
Originally designed as a functional object, this artwork served as a handheld fan, intended for personal use rather than public display. Its circular format and delicate composition would have offered a private aesthetic experience to its owner. The subsequent mounting as an album leaf transformed its purpose, allowing it to be preserved and appreciated within a collection.
Artist & collection
