清 張熊 蟾蜍 團扇|Flower and Toad
Medium
Circular fan-shaped album leaf; ink and color on silk
Dimensions
Diam. 10 1/2 in. (26.7 cm)
Classification
Paintings
Culture & Period
China · Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Robert Hatfield Ellsworth, in memory of La Ferne Hatfield Ellsworth, 1986
Accession Number
1986.267.39
Tags
Art Historical Context
This delightful circular fan-shaped album leaf titled *Flower and Toad*, created by Zhang Xiong during China's Qing dynasty (16441911). Measuring just 10½ inches in diameter, it the exquisite portability of fan paintings, which served both as personal accessories and cherished collectibles among the literati elite. Crafted with ink and color silk—a luxurious medium prized for its smooth texture and ability to hold vibrant hues—the artwork reflects the Qing era's refined fusion of functionality and artistry. At its heart, the piece features a toad amid blooming flowers, a motif drawn from trad...
About the Artist
Zhang Xiong · 1803–1886
Chinese, 1803–1886