Prunus Branches

Artist

Lou Cun (Chinese, 1880 – 1950)

Date

circa 1910-1930

Medium

Ink on paper

Dimensions

Mat : 16 x 20 in. (40.64 x 50.8 cm)

Credit Line

Gift of David Kamansky and Gerald Wheaton

Object Number

2014.23.183.2

Label

Because they blossom early in the year while the weather is still cold, flowering plums, apricots, cherries and other species of the prunus family were considered symbols of strength and resilience in traditional Chinese culture. The twisted, gnarled branches depicted in these paintings further suggest a character that perseveres and is productive even in hard times. Such symbolism would have resonated strongly with members of China’s scholar class after 1911 when the Qing dynasty collapsed and China was plunged into decades of turmoil and warfare.