Hangrol met papavers, vlinders en een kat (bovenste gedeelte) 1683

Yun Bing made this hanging scroll, with its poppies, butterflies, and cat, in China sometime between 1650 and 1750. The work reflects an aesthetic associated with the Qing dynasty. Although, the dynasty brought in foreign rulers, it saw China expand and prosper economically and culturally. This painting evokes that sense of wealth and harmony. The image is abundant with organic material, with the presence of both insects and a domesticated animal. It uses the visual language of traditional ink-wash painting but there is a freshness to the overall image. This was a time of great change in China and it is worth considering whether this image is self-consciously conservative or progressive. As historians, we can investigate the social conditions that made its creation possible. We can ask: what was the role of the artist in Chinese society at this time? What was the place of the artwork within the household or court?