Artwork
Picture of a Cat, a Bird, and a Crabapple
Picture of a Cat, a Bird, and a Crabapple is a print by the Baroque artist Unknown. It dates from 1698 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. This print depicts a cat, a bird, and a crabapple branch against a pale background.
- Accession no.
- 2025.60
- Credit line
- Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund
About this work
The shapes are simple, the colors soft, inky black, warm red, and a touch of green.
You see a cat, a bird, and a crabapple branch on a flat, pale background. The shapes are simple, the colors soft, inky black, warm red, and a touch of green.
This painting was probably a cheap print sold in Chinese cities in the 1600s. People hung them like posters, not fancy art. The artist’s name is lost, but the image feels familiar, like a folk song.
If you like this quiet style, look up china, qing dynasty (1644–1911).
Overview
This print depicts a cat, a bird, and a crabapple branch against a pale background. Created in a simple style with soft colors, it is a representative example of a commercial print from the 1600s.
Subject & Meaning
The image features everyday subjects: a cat, a bird, and a crabapple branch. The simplicity of the composition and the subjects themselves suggest a straightforward, uncomplicated interpretation.
Technique & Style
The print is characterized by simple shapes and a limited color palette, including inky black, warm red, and touches of green. The style is reminiscent of other works from the Qing dynasty, known for its understated elegance.
History & Provenance
Produced during a time when printing flourished in Jiangnan cities, this print was likely a commercial product sold in urban areas. The artist's name is unknown, suggesting it was not a highly valued or attributed work at the time.
Artist & collection
