Carefree Indulgence by the Eastern Fence, from the album Figures in Settings
Artist/Maker
Zhāng Hóng 张宏 / 張宏
(Chinese, 1577–1668)
Date1649
MediumAlbum leaf, ink and color on silk
DimensionsImage: 11 1/4 × 8 in. (28.6 × 20.3 cm)
Mount: 14 5/8 × 9 9/16 in. (37.1 × 24.3 cm)
Mount: 14 5/8 × 9 9/16 in. (37.1 × 24.3 cm)
Credit LineGift of Carol S. Brooks in honor of her father, George J. Schlenker, and R. T. Miller Jr. Fund
PortfolioFigures in Settings
Object number1997.29.14M
Status
Not on viewTitle inscription: 東籬逸興
Táo Qián 陶潛 (ca. 365–427), or Táo Yuānmíng 陶渊明, was a poet who retired in midlife to a small estate to live out his days in rustic obscurity, drinking wine and writing poetry. Since the 8th century his poetry and life story have been familiar to every educated Chinese. A number of references about Tao Qian occur particularly in the fifth of his "Twenty Poems on Drinking Wine". In this poem Tao describes his uneventful life: picking chrysanthemums by the eastern fence, his attention is caught by a glimpse of South Mountain. Hence, the references of chrysanthemum, eastern fence, as well as drinking wine all relate especially to Tao Qian and his eremitic, carefree life.
In Zhang Hong’s picture, the drunken poet Tao Qian is shown supported by his two servants, while a chrysanthemum flower is still held in his hand. In fact, the chrysanthemum is the main clue for the identification of the figure, which remained closely attached to the culture of Tao Qian.
ProvenanceDr. George J. Schlenker, Piedmont, California ¹ ² ³; by descent to Carol S. Brooks, Alameda, CA ⁴; by partial gift and purchase 1997 to Allen Memorial Art Museum, Oberlin, OH
Notes:
[1] Identifying the two collector's seals will help to determine prior history
[2] Selected and purchased by James Cahill, Professor of Art History, University of California, Berkeley, on behalf of his step-father George J. Schlenker
[3] Stored at the University of California, Berkeley Art Museum, where it was exhibited and used as a teaching aid by Professor James Cahill
[4] Daughter of George J. SchlenkerExhibition History
Táo Qián 陶潛 (ca. 365–427), or Táo Yuānmíng 陶渊明, was a poet who retired in midlife to a small estate to live out his days in rustic obscurity, drinking wine and writing poetry. Since the 8th century his poetry and life story have been familiar to every educated Chinese. A number of references about Tao Qian occur particularly in the fifth of his "Twenty Poems on Drinking Wine". In this poem Tao describes his uneventful life: picking chrysanthemums by the eastern fence, his attention is caught by a glimpse of South Mountain. Hence, the references of chrysanthemum, eastern fence, as well as drinking wine all relate especially to Tao Qian and his eremitic, carefree life.
In Zhang Hong’s picture, the drunken poet Tao Qian is shown supported by his two servants, while a chrysanthemum flower is still held in his hand. In fact, the chrysanthemum is the main clue for the identification of the figure, which remained closely attached to the culture of Tao Qian.
The Cultured Landscape in China and Japan
- Allen Memorial Art Museum, Oberlin, OH (February 6, 2007 - August 13, 2007 )
A Century of Asian Art at Oberlin: Chinese Paintings
- Allen Memorial Art Museum, Oberlin, OH (June 6, 2017 - December 10, 2017 )
Collections
- Asian
The AMAM continually researches its collection and updates its records with new findings.
We welcome additional information and suggestions for improvement. Please email us at AMAMcurator@oberlin.edu.
We welcome additional information and suggestions for improvement. Please email us at AMAMcurator@oberlin.edu.
