Bamboo c. 1800 - 1825

chenjiecan

toned paper

water colours

ink painting

possibly oil pastel

handmade artwork painting

coloured pencil

underpainting

watercolour bleed

watercolour illustration

watercolor

"Bamboo" is a traditional Chinese ink painting by Chen Jiecan, dating back to the early 19th century. Executed on a hanging scroll, the artwork showcases a minimalist aesthetic typical of the period, featuring a delicate depiction of bamboo stalks and leaves in shades of black and gray against a pale background. The artist's masterful brushstrokes, characteristic of the literati tradition, evoke the graceful sway of the bamboo while capturing its inherent strength and resilience. The inscription in the right margin adds a contemplative dimension, likely a poem or verse reflecting on the enduring qualities of the subject.

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rijksmuseum over 1 year ago

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Bamboo is among the favourite motifs of so-called literati painting, which was done for China’s cultural elite. It also symbolizes the humility of a true gentleman. The painter could demonstrate his mastery of the brush by playing with the contrast between dark and light ink. Here the artist used wet ink wash to depict bamboo in the rain.