Artwork
Album of Calligraphy and Paintings
Album of Calligraphy and Paintings is an unspecified painting by the Qing dynasty painting artist Bian Shoumin. It dates from 1726 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1726 by the Qing‑dynasty painter Bian Shoumin, this album page combines ink painting with calligraphic inscription. It is part of the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. The composition presents a tranquil wetland scene rendered in muted tones, where three birds interact with reeds and a hazy landscape beyond.
Subject & Meaning
The image depicts three waterbirds—two in flight and one settled on a reed—set against a misty backdrop. The sparse vegetation, including slender reeds dotted with tiny white blossoms, suggests a quiet moment in nature, inviting contemplation of the harmony between fauna and flora.
Technique & Style
Bian employs delicate brushwork, using thin, expressive lines to outline the birds and plants while leaving extensive areas of empty space that convey atmosphere. The palette is restrained, dominated by soft grays and greens, with a subtle red accent on the birds’ feet. A column of Chinese calligraphy on the left provides a textual counterpoint to the visual elements.
History & Provenance
The work was executed in 1726 and has remained attributed to Bian Shoumin, a noted painter of bird-and-flower subjects. It entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection through acquisition, where it is displayed as an example of Qing‑period ink painting and calligraphy integration.
Artist & collection
