Who painted Bird on Lotus?

Bird on Lotus was painted by Unknown in 1725.

Where can I see Bird on Lotus?

Bird on Lotus is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Bird on Lotus?

Bird on Lotus is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Bird on Lotus

Unknown , 1725

Bird on Lotus is a print by the Baroque artist Unknown. It dates from 1725 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Accession no.: 2025.118
Credit line: Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund

About this work

This was probably a wall print sold in Suzhou markets; people bought them to decorate homes during the Qing dynasty.

A small bird perches on a lotus pad in the center of a square sheet. The lines are crisp and the colors flat, no shading, just ink and bright mineral pigments. This was probably a wall print sold in Suzhou markets; people bought them to decorate homes during the Qing dynasty.

Look for the tiny red seal in the corner: it’s the printer’s mark, like a brand logo. These prints were mass-produced, yet each one feels handmade because the blocks wore down over time.

Next, explore more works tagged “Qing dynasty (1644–1911).”

Overview

Bird on Lotus is a print featuring a small bird perched on a lotus pad, created using ink and bright mineral pigments on a square sheet.

Technique & Style

The print is characterized by crisp lines and flat colors, with no shading. A tiny red seal in the corner serves as the printer's mark. The mass-produced nature of the print is evident, yet each copy has a handmade feel due to the wear and tear on the blocks over time.

History & Provenance

This print was likely sold in Suzhou markets during the Qing dynasty as a wall decoration. Suzhou was a hub of printing activity in the Jiangnan region, where commercialized single-sheet color prints became popular.

Context

The development of printing in Jiangnan cities like Suzhou led to the creation of commercialized single-sheet color prints that contributed to the urban visual culture.