Xugu (Chinese, 1823-1896)
Plum, Pine, and Bamboo
INV-4648
Xugu (Chinese, 1823-1896)Qing dynasty (1644–1911), mid- to late 19th century
Plum, Pine, and Bamboo
Xugu (Chinese, 1823-1896) →Chinese (culture or style)hanging scrollpainting
Date
Qing dynasty (1644–1911), mid- to late 19th century
Medium
Hanging scroll; ink and color on paper
Dimensions
147.9 × 81.3 cm (58 1/4 × 32 in.)
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Location
Chicago, IL
Credit
Gift of Florence Ayscough and Harley Farnsworth MacNair
This painting presents the overlapping branches of pine, plum, and bamboo trees—three species traditionally asso-ciated with integrity because of their enduring nature. Xugu, originally named Zhu Huairen, was a military officer who gave up his career to become a Chan Buddhist monk during the Taiping Rebellion (1850–64). After wander-ing the cities to sell his paintings, he settled in Shanghai and became a prominent member of the art world there. Xugu excelled at capturing lively impressions of plants and animals, such as bamboo, wisteria, squirrels, and fish.
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