Artwork

Gathering 'Jingsang' Mulberry Leaves

Gathering 'Jingsang' Mulberry Leaves, by Jun Wu, paint, 1880
Gathering 'Jingsang' Mulberry Leaves, by Jun Wu, paint, 1880

Gathering 'Jingsang' Mulberry Leaves is a paint painting by the Chinese Orthodox School artist Jun Wu. It dates from 1880 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

Gathering 'Jingsang' Mulberry Leaves is a painting from an album illustrating the silk production process.

Subject & Meaning

The scene depicts men using ladders to harvest mulberry leaves, which are used to feed silkworms, a crucial step in silk production.

Technique & Style

The painting is characterized by calm and practical brushwork, focusing on the everyday activity without dramatization, and features slender mulberry trees with straight trunks.

Context

The 'jingsang' mulberry, a variety common in north China, was cultivated for its leaves, highlighting the importance of sericulture in 19th-century China.

Artist & collection

Artist

Jun Wu

Jun Wu’s paintings show women tending silkworms and preparing silk in the late 1800s.

Reviews

Frequently asked questions

Who painted Gathering 'Jingsang' Mulberry Leaves?

Gathering 'Jingsang' Mulberry Leaves was painted by Jun Wu in 1880.

Where can I see Gathering 'Jingsang' Mulberry Leaves?

Gathering 'Jingsang' Mulberry Leaves is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is Gathering 'Jingsang' Mulberry Leaves?

Gathering 'Jingsang' Mulberry Leaves is associated with Chinese Orthodox School.

Can I buy a print of Gathering 'Jingsang' Mulberry Leaves?

Museum-quality prints of Gathering 'Jingsang' Mulberry Leaves are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.