Who painted Frosted Branches and Dwarf Bamboo, in the Style of Su Shih?

Frosted Branches and Dwarf Bamboo, in the Style of Su Shih was painted by Zhai Dakun in 1775-01-01.

Where can I see Frosted Branches and Dwarf Bamboo, in the Style of Su Shih?

Frosted Branches and Dwarf Bamboo, in the Style of Su Shih is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Frosted Branches and Dwarf Bamboo, in the Style of Su Shih?

Frosted Branches and Dwarf Bamboo, in the Style of Su Shih is associated with Qing dynasty painting.

Can I buy a print of Frosted Branches and Dwarf Bamboo, in the Style of Su Shih?

Museum-quality prints of Frosted Branches and Dwarf Bamboo, in the Style of Su Shih are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Frosted Branches and Dwarf Bamboo, in the Style of Su Shih

Zhai Dakun , 1775

Frosted Branches and Dwarf Bamboo, in the Style of Su Shih is an unspecified painting by the Qing dynasty painting artist Zhai Dakun. It dates from 1775 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Technique & Style

Painted on silk, the work employs ink and color in a hanging-scroll format. Zhai Dakun rendered bamboo and branches with controlled brushstrokes, achieving a delicate, frost-laden texture that references Su Shih's literati style. The composition balances sparse negative space with precise linear detail, emphasizing structural clarity over ornamentation.

History & Provenance

Frosted Branches and Dwarf Bamboo, in the Style of Su Shih was created by Zhai Dakun in 1775 in China. It is part of the Cleveland Museum of Art's collection, accessioned in 1986 under the number 1986.49.12.

Overview

Frosted Branches and Dwarf Bamboo, in the Style of Su Shih is a Chinese ink painting executed in 1775 by Zhai Dakun. The work measures roughly a hand‑scroll format and is part of the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. It presents a naturalistic scene rendered on a light, paper‑like background, typical of literati brush painting.

Subject & Meaning

The composition centers on twisted branches bearing dark berries, their roots interlaced with small bamboo shoots. Rocks emerge near the base, while slender grasses fringe the scene. The juxtaposition of hardy branches and delicate bamboo suggests a meditation on resilience and the cycles of growth, a common theme in Chinese nature painting.

Context

Zhai Dakun was active during the Qing dynasty, a period when many artists emulated earlier masters to demonstrate erudition. By referencing Su Shih, Zhai aligned himself with a tradition that prized personal expression over formal representation, reflecting broader literati values of the time.