Artwork
Bamboo in the Wind
Bamboo in the Wind is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1724 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
History & Provenance
The painting Bamboo in the Wind, created in 1724 by the artist Ma Yu, is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art in Cleveland.
Bamboo in the Wind was created in 1724 by the Chinese artist Ma Yu, who was active between 1706 and 1724. The work was produced in China and is classified as a painting.
The painting is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is catalogued under accession number 1915.96, indicating that it entered the museum's holdings by 1915. No further details about its commission, intermediate ownership, or chain of custody prior to the Cleveland Museum of Art are documented in the available sources.
The painting Bamboo in the Wind, created in 1724 by the artist Ma Yu, is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art in Cleveland. The work is cataloged under the accession number 1915.96. While the painting was made in China, its current location remains the Cleveland Museum of Art. The provided sources do not list any specific exhibition history for this artwork.
Overview
Bamboo in the Wind is a painting that depicts a cluster of tall bamboo stalks bending gently against a warm, uniform background. The composition includes a few rocks at the base of the plants, creating a simple yet dynamic arrangement that suggests movement.
Subject & Meaning
The work focuses on bamboo, a plant traditionally associated with resilience and flexibility. By portraying the stalks swaying, the artist conveys a sense of vitality and the subtle forces of nature acting upon the scene.
Technique & Style
Executed with ink, the artist employs loose, rapid brushstrokes that render the bamboo with minimal detail while emphasizing texture through contrasts of deep shadows and bright highlights. This approach creates a chiaroscuro effect, giving the forms a three‑dimensional presence without elaborate rendering.
Context
The painting’s restrained palette and emphasis on gesture align it with East Asian ink traditions, where simplicity and the suggestion of movement are valued. The inclusion of rocks and the warm background further anchor the piece within a landscape genre that prioritizes atmospheric suggestion over precise depiction.
Artist & collection
