Accession Number
1970/2.156

Title
Blossoming Prunus Branch, after Wang Yüan-chang (Wang Mien)

Artist(s)
Yamamoto Baiitsu

Artist Nationality
Japanese (culture or style)

Object Creation Date
1847

Medium & Support
hanging scroll, ink on paper

Dimensions
41 1/8 in. x 14 1/8 in. ( 104.46 cm x 35.88 cm )

Credit Line
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. C.D. Carter

Subject matter
This painting exemplifies one of the ways Japanese artists learned from Chinese models: it is a direct copy of a work by the Yuan dynasty artist Wang Mien. Baiitsu placed thin sheets of paper over the original and traced the contours of the branches in pale ink; then, looking at the two works side-by-side, he painted in the washes, imitating Wang’s “flying white” brush strokes. Baiitsu even copied Wang’s original inscription and seals, as well as a colophon by a later owner of the work.

Physical Description
The prunus branch depicted by Baiitsu makes use of the long vertical form provided by the hanging scroll format. The branch enters the visual field from the top right, and curves downward toward the bottom of the scroll. On either side of the branch are sections of calligraphic text.

Primary Object Classification
Painting

Primary Object Type
hanging scroll

Additional Object Classification(s)
Painting

Collection Area
Asian

Rights
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Keywords
branches (plant components)
calligraphy (process)
flowers (plant components)
hanging scrolls