Three Friends of Spring (Chun Shi San You Tu)
Artist
He Lishan (Jim Hardesty)
(American, 1945–2021)
Date2001
MediumHanging scroll: ink on paper
Dimensions53 9/16 x 18 1/2 inches (136 x 47 cm)
ClassificationsPaintings
Credit LineAcquired through the George and Mary Rockwell Fund
Terms
- Paintings
- Scroll
- Hanging scroll: ink
- Bamboo
- Flowers
- Leaves
- Orchids
- Plants
- Rock
- Seasons
- Spring
- Paper
- Chinese
Object number2001.029.002
Label CopyLocal artist Jim Hardesty studied Chinese language, literature and art history at Princeton University. He later lived in Taiwan, where he studied painting, calligraphy and seal carving under Wang Beiyue.
Bamboo represents spring and orchid is a symbol of warmth. Together with rock, these Three Friends of Spring are also emblems of the virtuous gentleman. Bamboo is associated with resilience, because of its ability to bend in the wind without breaking, and its hollow stems stand for humility. Rocks represent endurance and the fragrant orchids that grow among them signify refinement.
Collections
He Lishan (Jim Hardesty)
2006
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