Accession Number
1981/2.133

Title
Scholar's Winter Retreat

Artist(s)
Gai Qi

Object Creation Date
circa 1820

Medium & Support
fan mounted as an album leaf, ink and color on paper

Dimensions
6 15/16 in x 20 3/16 in (17.6 cm x 51.3 cm);14 5/16 in x 23 1/4 in (36.4 cm x 59 cm);28 11/16 in x 23 1/4 in (72.8 cm x 59 cm)

Credit Line
Museum purchase made possible by the Margaret Watson Parker Art Collection Fund

Label copy

Gai Qi
China, 1774–1829

Scholar’s Winter Retreat
Qing dynasty (1644–1912)
ca. 1820
Fan mounted as an album leaf, ink and color on paper
Museum purchase made possible by the Margaret Watson Parker Art Collection Fund, 1981/2.133

In this charming picture a scholar sits at his desk looking at plum blossoms in a vase; before him is an empty sheet of paper and an ink stone, and by his side an attendant boils water for tea. A crane—an auspicious bird that denotes longevity—tucks her head and leg to keep herself warm in the cold winter air. Plum blossoms, like bamboo, were a favorite subject of literati artists (educated public servants who practiced painting and calligraphy) because of their beauty and sweet fragrance. They were also a symbol of great moral integrity because they bloom in early spring when there is still snow.

These two album leaves and the adjacent one were originally mounted as folding fans. The creases indicate where the paper was pasted onto the wooden ribs. Since fans were easily damaged, they were often remounted as album leaves to prevent further deterioration.

Subject matter
A crane—an auspicious bird that denotes longevity—tucks her head and leg to keep herself warm in the cold winter air. Plum blossoms, like bamboo, were a favorite subject of literati artists (educated public servants who practiced painting and calligraphy), for their beauty and sweet fragrance. They were also a symbol of great moral integrity because they bloom in early spring when there is still snow.
The colophon is by Huang Chun and indicates that the painting was presented to the artist Chien Tu (1763-1844). There are a seals of the artist Gai Qi, Huang Chun, and three collectors.

Physical Description
A scholar sits in a relaxed posture at his desk looking at cut plum blossoms in a white vase; before him is an empty sheet of paper and ink stone, and by his side an attendant is boiling water for tea. A crane tucks her head and leg to keep herself warm in the cold winter air. The scholar seems to be contemplating a subject to be drawn or written, perhaps related to the flowers.

Primary Object Classification
Unbound Work

Primary Object Type
leaf

Additional Object Classification(s)
Painting

Collection Area
Asian

Rights
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Keywords
cranes (equipment)
fan-shaped
fans (costume accessories)
ink
kettles (vessels)
scholars
tables (support furniture)