Artwork

明十竹齋書畫譜四開|Leaf from the Ten Bamboo Studio Manual of Painting and Calligraphy

明十竹齋書畫譜四開|Leaf from the Ten Bamboo Studio Manual of Painting and Calligraphy is an ink print by the Baroque artist Unknown. It dates from 1633 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

This leaf, taken from the printed Ten Bamboo Studio Manual of Painting and Calligraphy, presents a modest composition of two birds perched on a slender branch. One bird faces the viewer directly, while the other turns away, its tail feathers fanned. Thin twigs extend across the upper margin, and faint clusters of buds or blossoms appear in the background, creating a simple yet balanced scene.

Subject & Meaning

The work depicts a pair of avian figures, a common motif in Chinese brush painting symbolizing harmony and the natural world. The contrasting orientations of the birds—one confronting the viewer and the other looking outward—suggest a dialogue between presence and departure, while the delicate buds hint at seasonal renewal.

Technique & Style

Executed with ink lines and touches of color on paper, the artist employs restrained brushwork, allowing empty spaces to convey light and atmosphere. Subtle cross‑hatching builds tonal depth, particularly in the birds’ plumage, while the minimal use of pigment emphasizes the elegance of line over surface detail.

History & Provenance

The leaf originates from a printed manual produced by the Ten Bamboo Studio (Shízhúzhāi), a publishing house known for disseminating painting and calligraphy models during the Qing dynasty. The red seal in the corner, though partially illegible, likely identifies the workshop or a collector’s mark, confirming its inclusion in the instructional series.