Prunus in Moonlight
Datelate 17 or 18th century
MediumHanging scroll: ink on paper
DimensionsImage: 44 × 19 1/4 inches (111.8 × 48.9 cm)
CultureKorea
PeriodJoseon period
ClassificationsPaintings
Credit LineGeorge and Mary Rockwell Collection
Terms
- Paintings
- Flowers
- Moon
- Night
- Plum blossoms
- Plum trees
- Seasons
- Spring
- Times of the day
- Tree branches
- Winter
Object number98.131.002
Label CopyPlum blossoms are an emblem of both feminine beauty and the scholar. As the first tree to bloom in late winter, its delicate blossoms emerge even when there is still frost or snow, attesting to its ability to thrive in harsh conditions. The transient beauty of the blossoms and their rapidly fading fragrance means that there is only a short time in which to appreciate them at their peak. Viewing plum blossoms in the light of a full moon was a favorite activity of East Asian literati, providing an occasion to celebrate by drinking plum wine and enjoy poetry and music about plum blossoms and the moon.
This painting was probably once a part of a multipanel screen showing the prunus branches from various perspectives and at various times of day or night. (“Moon," curated by Ellen Avril and presented at the Johnson Museum August 25, 2018-January 13, 2019)
Collections
Late 17-18th century
Choson dynasty (1392-1910); Joseon dynasty (1392-1910); 19th century
Fu Qing
Ming dynasty, early 17th century
Parent/Child