Artwork
清 王禮 狸奴圖 軸|Cat
清 王禮 狸奴圖 軸|Cat is an ink painting by the Qing dynasty painting artist Wang Li. It dates from 1846 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Wang Li’s hanging scroll, dated 1846, presents a solitary gray cat perched on a rock. Rendered in ink and color on paper, the composition balances the animal’s rounded form with a backdrop of stylized bamboo leaves, executed in swift black strokes that suggest movement.
Subject & Meaning
The feline is identified as a li nu, literally a “cat slave,” a motif in Chinese visual culture that links cats to auspiciousness and protective qualities. By portraying the cat in a relaxed pose, the work underscores the creature’s role as a bearer of good fortune.
Technique & Style
Wang Li employs a soft palette and fluid brushwork characteristic of Qing‑period scholar painting. The ink outlines are loose, while washes of color give the cat a tactile presence, allowing the viewer to sense the animal’s potential to shift or stretch at any moment.
Context
Created during the Qing dynasty, the piece reflects a broader trend among literati artists who favored expressive depictions of animals over strict realism. Such works often infused everyday subjects with personality, aligning with contemporary aesthetic values.
Artist & collection
