Who painted 陈璋临沈度榜葛刺进麒麟图轴?

陈璋临沈度榜葛刺进麒麟图轴 was painted by Unknown in 1850.

Where can I see 陈璋临沈度榜葛刺进麒麟图轴?

陈璋临沈度榜葛刺进麒麟图轴 is held by National Museum of China.

Artwork

陈璋临沈度榜葛刺进麒麟图轴

陈璋临沈度榜葛刺进麒麟图轴 is an unspecified painting by Unknown. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the National Museum of China. The work is a painted scroll depicting a giraffe, rendered with a long neck marked by brown spots.

About this work

Overview

The work is a painted scroll depicting a giraffe, rendered with a long neck marked by brown spots. A figure in a brown robe, wearing a hat and a white beard, holds a white rope around the animal’s neck. The scene is set against a light beige background, with Chinese calligraphic characters positioned on the right side of the composition.

Subject & Meaning

The central figure is a giraffe, an exotic creature that entered Chinese awareness through diplomatic gifts in the early 15th century. The attendant, likely representing a court official or caretaker, emphasizes the animal’s arrival and the imperial interest in foreign fauna, while the inscription may record the event or the animal’s name.

Technique & Style

Executed in ink and color on paper, the painting employs a delicate brushwork that delineates the giraffe’s spotted coat and the flowing robes of the figure. The composition balances a realistic rendering of the animal with the stylized, almost calligraphic treatment of the human figure, characteristic of courtly scrolls of the period.

History & Provenance

The scroll is part of the collection of the National Museum of China, where it is catalogued under the title “陈璋临沈度榜葛刺进麒麟图轴.” Its provenance traces back to imperial archives, suggesting it was created to commemorate the giraffe’s presentation to the Chinese court.

Context

During the Ming dynasty, the arrival of a giraffe—referred to as a “qilin” in Chinese sources—was interpreted as an auspicious omen. Paintings such as this one served both documentary and symbolic purposes, recording the animal’s presence while reinforcing the emperor’s legitimacy through celestial symbolism.