Artwork

耕織圖

耕織圖, by Chen Mei, unspecified
耕織圖, by Chen Mei, unspecified

耕織圖 is an unspecified painting by Chen Mei. It is held in the collection of the National Palace Museum.

About this work

Overview

The work titled 耕織圖 is presented as a painted sheet of parchment, its light‑beige surface framed by a modest ornamental border. Across the surface flow numerous cursive Chinese characters rendered in black ink, interspersed with occasional red seals and marks that punctuate the composition.

Subject & Meaning

The piece foregrounds the aesthetic qualities of calligraphic script rather than depicting a narrative scene. By emphasizing the rhythm and visual balance of the characters, it invites contemplation of the written word as an artistic medium in its own right.

Technique & Style

Executed with brush and ink on a parchment‑like support, the artist employs a fluid cursive hand that varies in thickness, creating a sense of movement. Red seals, applied with pigment, provide contrast and a traditional element of authentication or emphasis.

History & Provenance

The work is attributed to the artist Chen Mei, though further details of its creation date or ownership history are not recorded in the available sources.

Context

The painting aligns with a longstanding Chinese tradition of valuing calligraphy as a visual art, where the materiality of paper or parchment and the interplay of ink and seal convey cultural continuity and scholarly refinement.

Artist & collection

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Palace Museum open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.