Bamboo in the Wind

18th century

Bamboo is a favorite motif in East Asian painting and poetry, celebrated as an emblem of resilience because it bends and bounces back, rarely breaking under pressure from wind or snow. It is also popular as a subject for ink painters because capturing the pliant stems and sharp leaves of bamboo requires mastery of the paintbrush. Among Korean artists, Yu Deok-jang is considered one of the “Three Treasures” of bamboo painting. This screen, consisting of ten separate paintings, shows his ability to capture the plant in many stages of life and under different conditions while highlighting his signature technique of layering light and dark ink to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.