Chrysanthemum, Mustard Seed Garden Manual

1796-1820

Chinese, Ming Dynasty

Considered the most-widely used handbook of painting in China, the Mustard Seed Garden Manual contains texts on the basic steps of painting with accompanying illustrations. Early editions were printed from carved woodblocks and colored, while later editions were lithographic reproductions. This woodblock print is from an edition of the manual published in the reign of the Qing Dynasty emperor Jiaqing (1796-1820). The handbook states: "The chrysanthemum season is mid-autumn. It is the flower that braves the frost. To capture its quality, brush style (shi) must be imbued with dignity." As a plant that represents one of the four seasons, the chrysanthemum is always an auspicious subject.

Woodblock print

10 1/4 x 12 5/8 in. (26 x 32 cm)

Eugene Fuller Memorial Collection

39.89

Provenance: Sujo Matsumoto; Seattle Art Museum, Seattle, Washington, Fuller Collection, June 1939

Not currently on view

Resources

Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Asian Art Museum, "Live Long and Prosper: Auspicious Motifs in East Asian Art", May 23, 2009 - February 21, 2010

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