Wild Geese and Reeds

1392–1910

Wild Geese and Reeds, 1392–1910. Korea, Joseon dynasty (1392-1910). Black and white on paper; including mounting: 70.8 x 223.6 cm (27 7/8 x 88 1/16 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of the John Huntington Art and Polytechnic Trust 1915.631 Paintings that depict a peaceful image of migratory white-fronted geese descending to a river bank where tall reeds gently bend in the evening breeze were widely favored as birthday gifts, especially to elders: a homophone of the title Geese and Reeds means Aging Peacefully.