Artwork

Ten Bamboo Studio Collection of Calligraphy and Painting: Round Fans

Ten Bamboo Studio Collection of Calligraphy and Painting: Round Fans is a print by the Baroque artist Hu Zhengyan. It dates from 1633 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

The Ten Bamboo Studio Collection of Calligraphy and Painting, featuring round fans, exemplifies the pinnacle of color printing in early 17th-century China. This seminal work showcases intricate designs of flowers, birds, and calligraphy on round paper fans.

Subject & Meaning

The subjects depicted on the fans—delicate flowers, birds, and calligraphic elements—reflect traditional Chinese aesthetic preferences, emphasizing harmony and refinement. These motifs were likely chosen for their cultural significance and appeal to a broad audience.

Technique & Style

Achieving a watercolor-like effect, the print employs a groundbreaking technique where separate woodblocks were carved for each color. Precise registration of these blocks ensured seamless ink alignment, distinguishing it from earlier printing methods.

History & Provenance

Compiled and printed in Nanjing, the collection disseminated widely across China. Its influence extended beyond national borders, significantly impacting the artistic practices of Japan and Korea.

Context

This work is contextualized within the broader achievement of Chinese color printing, notably alongside the Mustard Seed Garden Manual of Painting (1679 and 1701 editions), with which it shares the distinction of being among the most successful and influential color print editions in Chinese history.

Artist & collection

Artist

Hu Zhengyan

Hu Zhengyan was a Chinese artist, printmaker and publisher. He worked in calligraphy, traditional Chinese painting, and seal-carving, but was primarily a publisher, producing academic texts as well as records of his own work.