Artwork

清 佚名 仿張風 摘菊圖 軸|Plucking Chrysanthemums

清 佚名 仿張風 摘菊圖 軸|Plucking Chrysanthemums, by Zhang Feng, ink, 1658
清 佚名 仿張風 摘菊圖 軸|Plucking Chrysanthemums, by Zhang Feng, ink, 1658

清 佚名 仿張風 摘菊圖 軸|Plucking Chrysanthemums is an ink painting by the Baroque artist Zhang Feng. It dates from 1658 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

A hanging scroll executed in ink on paper presents a solitary figure in a long robe bent over a garden, delicately cutting chrysanthemums with small scissors. The composition is spare, with most of the surface left empty; only a few ink strokes suggest the flowers, the figure’s sleeves, and the ground beneath.

Subject & Meaning

The work captures an intimate, everyday activity rather than a grand landscape, emphasizing a quiet, private moment of tending to flowers. The focus on a single gesture invites contemplation of simplicity and the ritual of care within a domestic setting.

Technique & Style

Rendered with light, restrained brushwork, the artist employs subtle cross‑hatching to suggest shadow and texture, allowing the ink to remain delicate and unobtrusive. The minimal lines convey form without heavy detailing, reinforcing the scene’s calm atmosphere.

History & Provenance

Although the scroll dates to the Qing period, its creator remains unknown. It is a later copy of an earlier composition by the Ming‑dynasty painter Zhang Feng, whose style it intentionally imitates.

Context

During the Qing era, reproducing celebrated works of earlier masters was a common practice, serving both as homage and as a means of preserving artistic conventions. This piece reflects that tradition, echoing Zhang Feng’s aesthetic while adapting it to a more understated presentation.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Zhang Feng

Artist

Zhang Feng

Chinese, active ca. 1628–1662