Figures from Chinese History: Zhang Tianqi Calling in the Cranes / Huang Shen
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About this Item
Record Details
- Accession Number
- 1983/2.158
- Title
- Figures from Chinese History: Zhang Tianqi Calling in the Cranes
- Artist
- Huang Shen
- Artist Nationality
- Chinese
- Artist Life Dates
- 1687-1766
- Medium and Support
- album leaf, ink and color on paper
- Object Creation Date
- 1687-1766
- Object Creation Place
- Asia (continent)
- China (nation)
- Fujian (province)
- Creation Place 1
- Asia (continent)
- Creation Place 2
- China (nation)
- Creation Place 3
- Fujian (province)
- Inscription
- Artist's inscription
- Dimensions
- 28.7 cm x 34.4 cm (11 5/16 in. x 13 9/16 in.)
- Century
- 18th century
- Primary Object Classification
- Painting
- Primary Object Type
- album leaf
- Secondary Object Classification
- Painting
- Secondary Object Type
- historical
- Physical Description
- Paper mounted on aqua silk. There are two figures present, and a large crane (bird). The central figure, Zhang Tiangi, has his arms uplifted, while a less important figure is depicted with his back to the viewer and is slightly hunched over. There is a crane with a red crown behind these two figures. The colors are muted. There is calligraphy in the upper left hand corner of the painting, complete with two red seals.
- Subject Matter
- These two album leaves are from a series by Huang Shen, known as one of the Eight Eccentric Painters of Yangzhou, a group of highly individualistic artists active in this prosperous metropolis in southern China. Here the artist uses his skill in detailed execution to render the accomplishments of two unique individuals.
- The painting on the right depicts Zhang Tianqi, a hermit who lived during the Northern Song dynasty (960–1126) and kept two pet cranes. In the morning he would release the birds from their cages to soar above the ravines and at dusk they would always return. The intimate rapport between the hermit and the cranes is emblematic of his deep connection with nature.
- Secondary Keywords
- animals and creatures
- birds
- descriptors
- disciplines
- history and related disciplines
- image-making processes and techniques
- objects we use
- people and culture
- processes and techniques
- processes and techniques by specific type
- social sciences
- visual works
- visual works by subject type
- writing (processes)
- Rights
- If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit https://umma.umich.edu/about/services/request-image/ for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.
Technical Details
- Collection
- University of Michigan Museum of Art
- Image Size
- 1039 x 973
- File Size
- 106 KB
- Record
- 1983/2.158
- Link to this Item
-
https://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/musart/x-1983-sl-2.158/1983_2.158.jpg
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Related Links
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IIIF
- Manifest
-
https://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/i/image/api/manifest/musart:1983-SL-2.158:1983_2.158.JPG
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- Full citation
-
"Figures from Chinese History: Zhang Tianqi Calling in the Cranes; Huang Shen." In the digital collection University of Michigan Museum of Art. https://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/musart/x-1983-sl-2.158/1983_2.158.jpg. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed April 19, 2024.