Who painted Nine Songs?

Nine Songs was painted by Zhang Wo in 1361-01-01.

Where can I see Nine Songs?

Nine Songs is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Nine Songs?

Nine Songs is associated with Ming dynasty painting.

Artwork

Nine Songs

Zhang Wo , 1361

Nine Songs is an unspecified painting by the Ming dynasty painting artist Zhang Wo. It dates from 1361 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

History & Provenance

The work was produced in collaboration with the calligrapher Chu Huan, who inscribed the text and dated the painting to that year.

The handscroll Nine Songs was completed in 1361, as recorded in its colophon by the painter Zhang Wo. The work was produced in collaboration with the calligrapher Chu Huan, who inscribed the text and dated the painting to that year.

The painting entered the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art in 1959 as part of an acquisition (accession number 1959.138).

The painting Nine Songs is held by the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is accessioned as 1959.138. The work entered the museum’s holdings in 1959 through an acquisition recorded under that inventory number. Executed in 1361, the scroll was created collaboratively by Zhang Wo and Chu Huan during the Yuan dynasty.

Overview

Created in 1361 by Zhang Wo, a 14th‑century painter from Hangzhou, Nine Songs is a hand‑scroll composed of nine sequential ink images. Each panel presents a solitary figure in flowing robes, set against a muted beige ground with sparse foliage. The work is part of the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection.

Subject & Meaning

The series visualizes scenes drawn from the ancient poetic anthology known as the Nine Songs. Each figure embodies a different lyrical moment, suggesting varied emotional states and actions, some standing, others seated, a few holding objects, reflecting the poems’ themes of ritual and personal expression.

Technique & Style

Executed in monochrome ink on paper, the panels employ delicate brushwork characteristic of Yuan‑era court painting. Zhang Wo’s handling of line and wash shows the influence of Li Gonglin, especially in the graceful rendering of robes and the understated treatment of trees and plants that frame the figures.

The Lantern Night Excursion of Zhong Kui, Yan Hui

Artist & collection

Artist

Zhang Wo

Zhang Wo (or Zhang Wu, Chinese: 張渥), courtesy name as Shuhou, sobriquet as Zhenqisheng and Jianghaike, is a famed Chinese painter who was active during the Yuan Dynasty.