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Fish, Frog and Wisteria
Fish, Frog and Wisteria

Fish, Frog and Wisteria

Artist (Chinese, 1806 - 1875)
Datedated 1868
DynastyQing dynasty (1644-1911)
MaterialsInk and light colors on paper
DimensionsH. 16 in × W. 11 13/16 in, H. 40.6 cm × W. 30 cm (image); H. 56 1/2 in × W. 16 in, H. 143.5 cm × W. 40.6 cm (overall)

Credit LineGift of Far East Fine Arts in memory of Sylvia Shangraw
Object numberB81D27
DepartmentChinese Art
ClassificationsPainting
On View
Not on view
More Information

清朝1868年 劉德六繪 紫藤花下鮭魚﹑青蛙戲水小景圖軸 紙本設色

The Chinese name for wisteria (ziteng) means "purple vine" in reference to the plant's abundant purple flowers. Yet the color purple also alludes to the purple sashes and the cord used for fastening the official seal of a member of the Chinese government. This painting of wisteria includes a frog and a mandarin fish (gui), a pun for "honor" (gui).

Artist's biography
Liu Deliu (1806–1875) was a native of Wujiang, Jiangsu province, where he studied the style of flower-and-bird painting developed by Yu Zhiding (1647–?). Liu was considered to be skilled at such subjects as flowers, birds, and insects; he occasionally painted landscapes.