Accession Number
2006/1.112

Title
Lone Rooster Summons the Spring

Artist(s)
Chang Ku-nien

Object Creation Date
1981

Medium & Support
hanging scroll, ink and color on paper

Dimensions
54 5/16 in x 32 1/4 in (138 cm x 82 cm);39 in x 26 in (99 cm x 66 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Dr. Cheng-Yang and Mrs. Shirley Chang

Label copy
Chang Ku-nien
Chinese, 1906–1987
Lone Rooster Summons the Spring
1981
Hanging scroll, Ink and color on paper
Gift of Dr. Cheng-Yang and Mrs. Shirley Chang, 2006/1.112      

Lone Rooster has notably expressive outlining and is enlivened by areas of vibrant red. Its decorative character is enhanced by the use of “cloud-dragon paper” (yunlong zhi), which has patterns suggesting these motifs. This work is reminiscent of the Shanghai school both in its subject and style. The rooster, which belonged to the traditional genre of bird-and- flower paintings popular in the Shanghai school, may have been chosen to commemorate the Chinese year of the rooster. Shanghai school painting, which was patronized largely by merchants, often had a strongly decorative character, combining broad calligraphic brushstrokes in ink and vivid colors.

Subject matter
This work is reminiscent of the Shanghai school both in its subject and style. Shanghai school painting, which was patronized largely by merchants, often had a strongly decorative character, combining broad calligraphic brushstrokes in ink and vivid colors. Lone Rooster has notably expressive outlining and is enlivened by areas of vibrant red. Its decorative character is enhanced by the use of “cloud-dragon paper” (yunlong zhi), the pattern of which resembles clouds and dragons. The rooster, which belonged to the traditional genre of bird-and-flower paintings popular in the Shanghai school, may have been chosen as a subject to commemorate the Chinese year of the rooster.

Physical Description
The Rooster is singled out by its expressive outlining brushwork and the vibrant red color of the comb. Its decorative flavor is also enhanced by using a specific type of paper called “cloud-dragon paper” (yunlong zhi), as the pattern of décor resembles motifs of cloud and dragon. Vertical calligraphic text in in the upper left corner.

Primary Object Classification
Painting

Primary Object Type
hanging scroll

Additional Object Classification(s)
Painting

Collection Area
Asian

Rights
If 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
calligraphy (visual works)
hanging scroll
ink
roosters
roosters (birds)
spring