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Fish and Rocks, mid-to-late 1600s (ink on paper)
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Fish and Rocks, mid-to-late 1600s (ink on paper)
5846778 Fish and Rocks, mid-to-late 1600s (ink on paper) by Bada Shanren, Zhu da (c.1624-1705); 29.2x157.4 cm; Cleveland Museum of Art, OH, USA; (add.info.: A descendant of a branch of the Ming imperial family in Nanchang, Jiangxi province, Bada Shanren (whose original name is not yet confirmed) lost his princely status after the Manchu conquest. He retreated to Chan Buddhist monasteries where he found solace in the arts, at times feigning insanity to avoid being identified.
Here, Bada juxtaposes sparse images of fish, rocks, and a lotus patch in a simple, free style using few spontaneous brushstrokes. He includes three cryptic poems with themes of alienation, referring perhaps to the fate of the " leftover subject" (yimin) after the fall of the Ming dynasty.
A rock mass with chrysanthemums at the edge is suspended from above. This image is accompanied by the first poem that reads: A foot and a half from heaven, One can see the floating white clouds. Why do I paint the yellow flowers? For amid the clouds is the City of Gold.
A large rock floats in a void and two fish swim in opposite directions by a lotus patch at the base of a cliff. The second poem reads: The Twin Wells was once in mid-stream. A bright moon shines in time and lingers. The twin carp in the Huang family, Where do they go to change into dragons?
The last poem might be accompanied by another fish image (probably a yellowcheek) that has been cut. The poem reads: To this 36, 000 qing [of water] Here a fish is coming at last, It is but a yellowcheek. Over the ocean tides rises the sound of sheng [panpipes].); John L. Severance Fund; Chinese, out of copyright
Media ID 22587338
© John L. Severance Fund / Bridgeman Images
Calligraphy Cursive Handscroll Panorama Panoramic Rocks Script Poems
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This print showcases the artwork "Fish and Rocks" created by Bada Shanren, also known as Zhu da, in the mid-to-late 1600s. Measuring 29.2x157.4 cm, this ink on paper masterpiece is housed at the Cleveland Museum of Art in Ohio, USA. Bada Shanren was a descendant of the Ming imperial family but lost his princely status after the Manchu conquest. Seeking solace in Chan Buddhist monasteries, he immersed himself in art and sometimes pretended to be insane to avoid detection. In this artwork, Bada skillfully combines sparse images of fish, rocks, and a lotus patch using minimal brushstrokes. Accompanied by three cryptic poems that touch upon themes of alienation and the fate of those affected by political change during the fall of the Ming dynasty. The first poem accompanies an image featuring a rock mass with chrysanthemums suspended from above. It speaks about seeing white clouds floating amidst heaven and painting yellow flowers because within those clouds lies the City of Gold. A large rock floats in emptiness while two fish swim opposite each other near a lotus patch at the base of a cliff; this scene is accompanied by another intriguing poem pondering where twin carp go to transform into dragons. Lastly, there may have been another fish image accompanying a cut yellowcheek fish that represents water measuring 36,000 qing. The final poem describes how finally one fish emerges from these vast waters – just a humble yellowcheek – as sounds from sheng panpipes rise over ocean tides. Overall, "Fish and Rocks" exemplifies Bada Shanren's artistic brilliance through its simplicity yet profound symbolism captured on paper for generations to appreciate.
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