Crested Myna Birds and Chrysanthemums

Art Historical Context

**Crested Myna and Chrysanthemums** a captivating hanging scroll by the Qing dynasty artist Xugu, created around 1892. This vertical painting (149.8 × 40 cm) showcases Xugu's mastery in the traditional Chinese genre of bird-and-flower painting, where crested myna birds perch amid blooming chrysanthemums. Rendered in ink and colors on paper, it exemplifies the refined literati style of late imperial China, blending delicate washes with bold outlines to evoke a sense of lively harmony in nature. Hanging scrolls like this were prized possessions in scholarly homes, unrolled for contemplation during gatherings or seasonal celebrations. The Qing era (1644–1911) marked a period of artistic innovation amid political decline, with artists like Xugu drawing on Song and Yuan dynasty traditions while incorporating personal expressiveness. Chrysanthemums, symbols of autumn resilience and longevity, pair beautifully with the intelligent, vocal myna birds, reflecting Confucian ideals of balance and virtue. Now housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts of Asia department, this work highlights Xugu's contribution to Shanghai School painting, bridging classical techniques with modern vitality. Visitors will appreciate its vibrant yet introspective beauty, a window into late Qing cultural elegance.

About the Artist

Xugu · 1824–1896

Xugu (1824–1896) was one of the most celebrated Chinese painters of the late Qing dynasty, renowned for his lyrical, highly individualistic approach to flower and plant painting that set him apart from both the orthodox academic tradition and the more popular Shanghai commercial style. Born Zhu Huairen in Anhui province, he took monastic vows and became a Buddhist monk, adopting the religious name...