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Squirrel on a Pine Branch
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This painting captures a squirrel in action, distracted and twisting its head while climbing and looking at a little bug to the right. The painter skillfully employs a combination of ink washes and fine brushstrokes to simulate the animal’s fur. Only three simple curved lines depict the squirrel’s claws. <br><br>The subject of squirrels did not appear in Chinese painting before the late Southern Song (1127–1279) and Yuan periods (1279–1368). The painter Songtian was one of the few Yuan painters who specialized in this theme.
| Artist / Maker | Song Tian |
|---|---|
| Date | 1500s |
| Culture / Origin | China, Ming dynasty (1368–1644) |
| Medium | hanging scroll, ink on paper |
| Dimensions | Overall: 119.7 x 66.4 cm (47 1/8 x 26 1/8 in.) |
| Department | Chinese Art |
| Type | Painting |
About the Artist
Song Tian (Chinese, active 1300s) Full biography →
Provenance & Source
Image & data: Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0 / Public Domain.
Condition
A detailed condition report and high-resolution photography are available from our specialists in advance of the sale.
Shipping & Collection
Fine-art shipping with climate control and full insurance to over 120 countries; collection by appointment.
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