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Birds and orchids

17th-18th century

Korean

Swiftly executed calligraphic strokes depict the leaves of a wild orchid plant growing around a thorny branch. Despite its thorns, the branch is a popular perch: one bird resting on the branch turns to gaze at a second bird that is alighting. Motifs in the bird-and-flower genre are often meticulously rendered with fine outlines and bright colors. This painter chose instead to capture the moment with simple brushwork in plain black ink.

Ink on paper

Overall (mounting & endknobs & hanging cord): 54 3/4 × 18 3/8 in. (139 × 46.7 cm)

Image (Painting only): 20 7/8 × 11 1/8 in. (53 × 28.3 cm)

Gift of Frank S. Bayley III

2021.36.3

Provenance: [Tong-In Gallery, New York]; purchased from gallery by Frank S. Bayley III, San Francisco, California, 2004; to Seattle Art Museum, Seattle, Washington, 2021

Not currently on view

Resources

Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Asian Art Museum, Boundless: Stories of Asian Art, Feb. 8, 2020 - ongoing [on view beginning Jan. 13, 2023].

Seattle Art Museum respectfully acknowledges that we are on Indigenous land, the traditional territories of the Coast Salish people. We honor our ongoing connection to these communities past, present, and future.

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