Flowering Crab Apple

1500

Shen Zhou

Shen Zhou (Chinese, 1427–1509)

Chinese Art

Flowering Crab Apple, 1500. Shen Zhou (Chinese, 1427–1509). Hanging scroll, ink on paper; painting: 87 x 28.5 cm (34 1/4 x 11 1/4 in.); overall with knobs: 238.5 x 52.5 cm (93 7/8 x 20 11/16 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Bequest of Mrs. A. Dean Perry 1997.101 Shen Zhou painted this is an informal and rapidly done presentation picture when he was 74 years old.

Original Source

Maker/Artist: Shen Zhou
Classification: Painting
Formatted Medium: hanging scroll, ink on paper
Medium: hanging, scroll, ink, paper
Dimensions: Painting: 87 x 28.5 cm (34 1/4 x 11 1/4 in.); Overall with knobs: 238.5 x 52.5 cm (93 7/8 x 20 11/16 in.)
Inscribed: Inscription: 粧[粉]合胭脂作曉粧，富於顔色吝於香。東風不肯全分付，相對梅花各斷腸。弘治庚申春日, 在雙蛾僧舍見海棠盛開, 適值陸汝器在坐索圖, 此繪以寄興。長洲沈周 [印]啟南; 石田; 白石翁 Translation: Artist's inscription, signature, and 3 seals: White powder and rouge make a perfect morning appearance. [The flowers] are rich in color but restrained in fragrance. The east wind is reluctant to aid its full growth. Compared to the plum blossoms, each carries its own sad tune. On a spring day in the gengshen year of the Hongzhi era [1500], I was at Shuang’e [twin-moth] monks' residence where crab apples are blooming abundantly. Mr. Lu Ruqi was also visiting then, and asked for a painting of mine, so I painted this to express my feelings. Shen Zhou of Changzhou [seal] Qi nan. [2 seals, lower left corner] Shi tian; Bai shi weng. Inscription: 1 additional seal of Wu Yun 吳雲 (1811-1883).
Departments: Chinese Art
Accession Number: 1997.101
Credit Line: Bequest of Mrs. A. Dean Perry
Exhibitions: <em>Eight Dynasties of Chinese Painting</em>. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (November 7, 1980-January 4, 1981); The Cleveland Museum of Art (February 10-March 29, 1981); Tokyo National Museum (October 4-November 17, 1982).
Rights Statement: CC0