Artwork
清 佚名 夏花圖 扇|Summer Flowers
清 佚名 夏花圖 扇|Summer Flowers is an ink painting. It dates from 1749 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The object is a decorative folding fan painted with a summer floral motif.
About this work
Overview
The object is a decorative folding fan painted with a summer floral motif. Executed on gold‑leafed paper, the fan measures the typical size for handheld fans and folds into a compact shape. Its surface is covered with ink and pigment, presenting an arrangement of blossoms rendered in vivid hues against a luminous background.
Subject & Meaning
The imagery depicts an assortment of summer flowers, a common theme in Chinese decorative arts that evokes seasonal renewal and the fleeting beauty of nature. Such botanical compositions were often used to convey wishes for prosperity and harmonious living, aligning the object’s function as a personal accessory with symbolic auspiciousness.
Technique & Style
The artist applied both brushwork in ink and applied color washes, allowing delicate outlines to coexist with richer, saturated areas. The composition balances detailed rendering of individual petals with broader, decorative patterns, reflecting a blend of literati brush techniques and courtly ornamental aesthetics prevalent in late imperial decorative arts.
History & Provenance
The fan is attributed to an anonymous creator, a circumstance common for many functional artworks of its period. It is part of the collection of a major metropolitan museum, where it is displayed alongside other examples of painted fans, illustrating the broader tradition of portable painted objects in East Asian art.
Artist & collection
