Chrysanthemum, Mustard Seed Garden Manual
1796-1820
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
