Explore key developments in the history and culture of China, from the arts and crafts of the Song Dynasty up to the present day.
Shanghai experienced rapid changes and growth during the 19th century as a port open to the West. Many artists came to Shanghai to seek opportunity and relative safety from political and cultural upheaval. Their work contained less traditional literati symbolism and emphasized the visual content of the painting itself. These paintings were well received by the emerging middle class around Shanghai. Zhu Cheng was one of these artists who were loosely termed the Shanghai School. The lively brushwork and vibrant colours as demonstrated in this painting are major characteristics of the distinctive Shanghai style. Zhu also followed Hua Yan's (1682-1756) techniques and methods of depicting the movements of birds. The inscription reads 'For the esteemed Mr. Kechen to appreciate and critcize.'
Vainker, Shelagh, Chinese Paintings in the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford (Oxford: Ashmolean Museum, 2000), no. 168 on p. 192, illus. p. 193 fig. 168
Objects are sometimes moved to a different location. Our object location data is usually updated on a monthly basis. Contact the Jameel Study Centre if you are planning to visit the museum to see a particular object on display, or would like to arrange an appointment to see an object in our reserve collections.
Objects may have since been removed or replaced from a gallery. Click into an individual object record to confirm whether or not an object is currently on display. Our object location data is usually updated on a monthly basis, so contact the Jameel Study Centre if you are planning to visit the museum to see a particular Eastern Art object.
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