桂菊山禽圖 絹本 55.7X100
Lu Ji, a master of the Ming Dynasty imperial academy, captures the lively essence of autumn in this exquisite scroll. Three red-billed blue magpies with elegant, elongated tails command the scene—two foraging in the grass while a third balances on a gnarled branch—accompanied by a chorus of black birds singing from the osmanthus trees above. The composition is rich with blooming chrysanthemums in shades of white, yellow, and crimson, set against rugged scholar's rocks that anchor the bottom of the frame. This meticulous 'bird-and-flower' painting is not just a study of nature; in Chinese culture, magpies are harbingers of joy, making this a visual wish for good fortune and happiness.
- Technique
- Ink and color on silk
- Material
- Silk
Location: Palace Museum, Beijing