Artwork
清 趙之謙 芍藥 桃花 扇面|Peach Blossoms and Peony
清 趙之謙 芍藥 桃花 扇面|Peach Blossoms and Peony is an ink painting by the Impressionist artist Zhao Zhiqian. It dates from 1860 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- 1986.267.28
About this work
Subject & Meaning
In traditional Chinese symbolism the peony stands for wealth, honor and feminine beauty, while the peach blossom conveys love and longevity.
The painting, titled Peach Blossoms and Peony, shows a branch of peach blossoms intertwined with a peony bloom rendered in ink and polychrome on gold-flecked paper. In traditional Chinese symbolism the peony stands for wealth, honor and feminine beauty, while the peach blossom conveys love and longevity. Their co-presence on a fan from 1860 by Zhao Zhiqian suggests an emblem of marital harmony and auspicious prosperity.
The work is catalogued as a still life in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, where it is recorded under the subject Paeonia.
Technique & Style
Created in 1860, this work by Zhao Zhiqian is executed as a folding fan that has been remounted as an album leaf. The artist utilized ink and color applied directly onto gold-flecked paper, a support characteristic of high-quality Qing dynasty fan painting. The composition functions as a still life, specifically depicting peonies.
Physically, the piece measures 19.1 cm in height and 54.6 cm in width. The use of gold-flecked paper provides a luminous background that contrasts with the ink and pigment, while the transformation from a functional folding fan to a mounted album leaf reflects specific handling and preservation practices common in museum collections. The work is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
History & Provenance
The work dates to 1860 and was created by Zhao Zhiqian in China. It is a folding fan mounted as an album leaf, rendered in ink and color on gold-flecked paper, and depicts peony and peach blossoms. It is held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, where it is inventoried under accession number 1996.483.1, with dimensions of 19.1 cm in height and 54.6 cm in width. No exhibition history is recorded in the cited sources.
Overview
Zhao Zhiqian's Peach Blossoms and Peony, created around 1860, is an ink and color painting on a gold-flecked folding fan, now preserved as an album leaf. This work exemplifies the artist's skill in rendering natural forms, presenting a delicate still life that captures the essence of two distinct floral subjects. The piece reflects the aesthetic sensibilities prevalent in Qing dynasty painting, combining traditional motifs with a refined execution on an unconventional surface.
Context
During the 19th century, folding fans served a dual purpose as both functional objects for cooling and canvases for artistic expression. This particular fan, painted by Zhao Zhiqian, illustrates how everyday items could be transformed into significant artworks. Its subsequent mounting as an album leaf further highlights its transition from a utilitarian accessory to a revered piece of art, reflecting changing perceptions of such objects over time within Chinese art traditions.
Artist & collection
