Album des œuvres célèbres des Song et Yuan (Broderie Gu) · Raisins et écureuil
At first glance, you might mistake this for a delicate ink and color painting of a fluffy squirrel climbing a twisted vine toward a bunch of juicy blue grapes, but it is actually a masterpiece of needlework! Created by Han Ximeng, a legendary female artist from the late Ming Dynasty, this piece showcases 'Gu Embroidery,' a style so incredibly fine it was often called 'painting with a needle.' She used silk threads to mimic the brushstrokes of ancient Song and Yuan masters, creating fur so realistic it looks soft to the touch and grapes that seem translucent. The calligraphy on the left page adds a poetic layer, making this album leaf a perfect blend of literary elegance and visual trickery.
- Technique
- Gu Embroidery (silk embroidery imitating painting)
- Material
- Silk thread on silk fabric
Location: Palace Museum, Beijing