Artwork
Untitled

Untitled is an ink painting by the Baroque artist Yun Shouping. It dates from 1667 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
Its subject, a peony, occupies the central visual field, emphasizing the flower's natural form without narrative or allegorical accompaniment.
Untitled (1667) by Yun Shouping portrays a single peony (Paeonia) in the traditional Chinese still-life genre. The work, executed in ink and color on silk as a hanging scroll, reflects the artist's interest in botanical subjects and the aesthetic values of the early Qing period. Its subject, a peony, occupies the central visual field, emphasizing the flower's natural form without narrative or allegorical accompaniment. The painting is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection of Chinese art.
Technique & Style
Executed in 1667 by Yun Shouping, this work is a hanging scroll created with ink and color applied to a silk support. Classified as a still life, the painting depicts peonies, showcasing the artist's application of traditional Chinese materials. The combination of ink and pigment on silk allows for the specific textural and chromatic qualities characteristic of the period and the artist's style.
As a hanging scroll, the piece is designed for vertical display, a format that influences how the composition of the floral subject is approached and viewed. The work originates from China and is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
History & Provenance
The hanging scroll titled Untitled, created by Yun Shouping in 1667, depicts a peony rendered in ink and color on silk. The work originated in China during the early Qing period and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. While the immediate commission details and earlier ownership history are not specified in the available records, the painting belongs to the artist's mature period of still-life floral painting. The records do not specify an accession number or detail any past exhibition history for this object.
Overview
Created by Yun Shouping in 1667, Untitled is a hanging scroll rendered with ink and color on silk. This work features a still life composition centered on Paeonia flowers, commonly known as peonies. The painting exemplifies the artist's refined approach to botanical subjects, characteristic of the early Qing dynasty.
Context
Yun Shouping was a prominent figure during the early Qing dynasty, recognized as one of the era's "Six Masters." His artistic contributions, including his skill in both calligraphy and painting, significantly shaped the period's aesthetic sensibilities. This painting reflects the sophisticated artistic environment he helped cultivate, where elegant brushwork and thoughtful compositions were highly valued.
Artist & collection
Artist
Yun Shouping (Chinese: 惲壽平; 1633 – 1690), also known as Nantian (Chinese: 南田), was a Chinese calligrapher and painter.


















