Wisteria

Title

Wisteria

Creator

Qi Baishi

Year/Period

Mid 20th century

Region

China

Object Type

ink wash paintings, Chinese ink paintings

Material

Chinese ink, colour (pigment), paper (fiber product)

Technique

painting (image-making), papermaking

Dimension

Image size: L:94 cm x W:37 cm,
Image size: L:228 cm x W:65 cm

Accession No.

2000-07900

Collection of

Asian Civilisations Museum

Credit Line

From the Xiang Xue Zhuang Collection in memory of Dr Tan Tsze Chor

Qi Baishi's (1864-1957) style defies categorisation. Compared to other contemporary Bejing painters Pu Ru (1896-1963) andChen Banding (1876-1970), his painting style remains individualistic. It stands out for its strong connection with folk art. His compositions are usually simple and possess a strong graphic quality. A symbol of spring, the wisteria is appreciated for its blossoms and dragon-like gnarls on its trunk. It was a favourite subject for artists such as Qi Baishi. He shows off his calligraphic skills in the rendition of the plant's twisted vines and tendrils.