Cockatoo 1721

"Cockatoo" (1721) by Chen Shu (1660-1736), is a hanging scroll depicting a white cockatoo suspended mid-air. The bird's delicate form is rendered with subtle brushstrokes against a pale background, suggesting a gentle breeze. The artist's skillful use of negative space creates a sense of tranquility and evokes the quiet beauty of nature. This delicate artwork, currently housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, highlights the skillful brushwork and minimalist aesthetics characteristic of Chinese painting during the Qing dynasty.