Winding Gourds

Artist Wu Changshuo (Chinese, 1844 - 1927)

Dateapprox. 1900

MaterialsInk and colors on paper

DimensionsH. 68 7/16 in × W. 18 3/16 in, H. 173.8 cm × W. 46.2 cm (image); H. 85 3/4 in × W. 24 1/8 in, H. 217.8 cm × W. 61.3 cm (overall)

Credit LineGift of Gloria Hahn (Kim Ronyoung, author of Clay Walls)

Object number1990.9.1

DepartmentChinese Art

ClassificationsPainting

On View

Not on view

SignedArtist signature: 老缶昌碩畫。 Seal: “昌碩”白文方印；“俊卿之印”朱文方印。

Inscribed雨過小園添畫本，絲瓜満架綠如屏。 As rain passes through the small garden, [something] can be added to my painting, Winding gourds hanging luxuriantly on a trellis create a screen of green.

More Information

This painting uses its vertical composition to depict five cylindrical gourds among clusters of vines and tendrils supported by stakes. With an impressionistic (xieyi) manner, the artist skillfully executed his calligraphic brushwork to highlight prominent characteristics of the plant: washes of blue and green are rendered in various concentrations to show the gourds, while bold, dark strokes are used along with ink washes to present the large leaves. With auspicious associations, gourds symbolized protection against evil spirits and diseases and came to represent productivity and longevity. The inscription reads:

As rain passes through the small garden, [something] can be added to my painting,
Winding gourds hanging luxuriantly on a trellis create a screen of green.