Accession Number1961/1.162
TitleDuck and Lotus
Artist(s)Gao QipeiArtist NationalityChinese (culture or style)Object Creation Datecirca 1690-1734Medium & Supportink on paperDimensions 47 13/16 in x 24 9/16 in (121.44 cm x 62.39 cm)
Credit LineMuseum purchase made possible by the Margaret Watson Parker Art Collection FundLabel copyGao Qipei
Chinese, 1660–1734
Duck and Lotus
China, Qing dynasty (1644–1912)
circa 1690–1734
Hanging scroll, ink and color on paper
Museum purchase made possible by the Margaret Watson Parker Art Collection
Fund, 1961/1.162
Gao Qipei was a successful government official as well as an accomplished painter with an unusual technique: instead of using a brush, he painted with his fingertips, nails, palms, and the backs of his hands. In this large scroll, Gao depicts a duck swimming among aquatic plants in the shade of a cluster of lotus. The lively execution, harmonious washes of color, and untrammeled, variegated effects—impossible to achieve with a brush—demonstrate his consummate skill.
Subject matterGao Qipei was an accomplished painter with an unusual technique: instead of using a brush, he painted with his fingertips, nails, palms, and the backs of his hands. The lively execution, harmonious washes, and untrammeled, variegated effects—impossible to achieve with a brush—demonstrate Gao’s consummate skill in finger painting.
Physical DescriptionIn this large scroll Gao depicts a duck swimming among aquatic plants in the shade of a cluster of lotus.
Primary Object Classification Painting Primary Object Typehanging scrollCollection AreaAsianRightsIf you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit
http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.
Keywords
ducks (birds)
lotus (motif)
water (inorganic material)