Heron and Lotus

ca. 18th century

Chinese, active ca. 18th century

In his poem, Shen Tingzhao refers to the white egret as a “fine young gentleman” wearing fluttering garment tassels, using Tang-dynasty poet Du Mu’s famous analogy. Shen also describes verdant lotus leaves playing peek-a-boo with red-petaled lotus blossoms, adding the experience of more colors to his collaboration with Yan E, who uses gold paint on a dark, indigo paper instead of the usual black ink on white paper. Little is known about the two artists except some of their literary work. They were active in the Suzhou area, where Yan E was a physician and self-described “lazy painter” who made the occasional work of which he always felt proud.

Gold and silver on indigo paper

44 × 12 1/2 in. (111.8 × 31.8cm)

Gift of Carol Padelford

2013.24.2

Provenance: Mrs. Donald E. Frederick, Seattle; upon her death, by inheritance to her granddaughter Carol Padelford, Seattle

Photo: Elizabeth Mann

Not currently on view

Resources

Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Asian Art Museum, Boundless: Stories of Asian Art, Feb. 8, 2020 - ongoing [on view Dec. 10, 2021 - July 24, 2022].

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