2004.19.36 - Prunus and Calligraphy
Mactaggart Art Collection Read more about this collection »
Object Typehandscroll
ArtistGao Qipei
Date Made1712
Item Details
Object Typehandscroll
ArtistGao Qipei
Date Made1712
Accession Number
2004.19.36
Title
Prunus and Calligraphy
Category
paintings
Object Type
handscroll
Artist
Gao Qipei
Date Made
1712
Place Made
China
Culture
Chinese
Period
Qing 18th century
Materials
ink on paper
Measurements
sheet: 34.6 cm x 1116.3 cm; image: 31.8 cm x 342.4 cm
Description
Gao Qipei (1660-1734) painted this handscroll of plum tree branches (prunus) using his fingertip, with the finest details added using his nails. The artist's daytime occupation as a civil servant during the Qing…
Gao Qipei (1660-1734) painted this handscroll of plum tree branches (prunus) using his fingertip, with the finest details added using his nails. The artist's daytime occupation as a civil servant during the Qing Dynasty permitted him free time in which to explore new ways of painting with his whole hand - palm, finger tips, and nails - rather than a traditional paintbrush. With this highly unique technique, Gao produced many similar landscape paintings throughout his life. After the painting is calligraphy by Gao Qipei, dated 1712, that contains sixteen copies of famous calligraphies (zitie) done between the Jin and Song dynasties, followed by an epilogue and a poem.
Inscriptions and Colophons
The painting is unsigned. The inscription following the painting is signed by Tieling Gao Qipei and is impressed with 2 artist seals. The title and colophon are by Zeng Xi (1861-1930).
Credit Line
Gift of Sandy and Cécile Mactaggart
Citation
Page Citation for 2004.19.36 - Prunus and Calligraphy
Page Citation
"2004.19.36 - Prunus and Calligraphy, Mactaggart Art Collection." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/21-19101. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
