Artwork
明 佚名 貍奴芭蕉圖 冊頁|Frolicking Kittens under a Banana Tree
明 佚名 貍奴芭蕉圖 冊頁|Frolicking Kittens under a Banana Tree is an ink painting. It dates from 1449 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This album leaf painting, executed on silk with ink and color, depicts two kittens at play beneath a banana tree.
About this work
Overview
This album leaf painting, executed on silk with ink and color, depicts two kittens at play beneath a banana tree. One kitten clutches a banana leaf with its tiny claws, while the other rests on a rock, its tail neatly coiled. The composition captures a moment of domestic leisure in a garden setting.
Subject & Meaning
In Chinese visual culture, cats are frequently associated with bamboo or banana plants, symbols that convey wishes for longevity and good fortune. By placing the kittens among the banana foliage, the artist invokes these auspicious connotations, suggesting a playful yet hopeful scene.
Technique & Style
The work employs the delicate brushwork typical of silk painting, combining fine ink lines with subtle washes of color. The contrast between the dark ink outlines of the animals and the softer, muted tones of the foliage creates a sense of depth while preserving the lightness of the medium.
History & Provenance
The piece is attributed to an anonymous Ming‑period artist and forms part of a larger album of paintings. It is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it contributes to the museum’s representation of Chinese genre scenes from the early modern era.
Artist & collection
