id: 136463 accession number: 1960.40 share license status: CC0 url: https://clevelandart.org/art/1960.40 updated: 2024-03-26 01:58:48.879000 Chrysanthemums and Cabbage, c. 1486 or before. Tao Cheng (Chinese, active c. 1471–after 1502). Handscroll, ink and slight color on paper; overall: 28.6 x 253.7 cm (11 1/4 x 99 7/8 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Anonymous Gift 1960.40 title: Chrysanthemums and Cabbage title in original language: 菊花白菜圖 series: series in original language: creation date: c. 1486 or before creation date earliest: 1486 creation date latest: 1486 current location: creditline: Anonymous Gift copyright: --- culture: China, Ming dynasty (1368–1644) technique: handscroll, ink and slight color on paper department: Chinese Art collection: ASIAN - Handscroll type: Painting find spot: catalogue raisonne: --- CREATORS * Tao Cheng (Chinese, active c. 1471–after 1502) - artist --- measurements: Overall: 28.6 x 253.7 cm (11 1/4 x 99 7/8 in.) state of the work: edition of the work: support materials: inscriptions: inscription: Artist's seal at beginning of painting: Yun hu 雲湖. Title by Wang Wenzhi 王文治 (1730–1802), date 1756. 2 seals of Wang Wenzhi 王文治 (1730-1802); 3 seals of Ku Yün (n. d.) translation: remark: inscription: Section A (Chrysanthemums): 1 poem and 1 seal of Zhang Yuanzhen 張元禎 (1437–1507) - Jinshi, 1461; 1 poems and 3 seals of Ni Yue 倪岳 (1444–1501) - Jinshi, 1464; 1 poems and 2 seals of Zhao Xiang 趙祥 (life dates unknown) - Jinshi, 1469; 1 poems and 1 seals of Wu Xixian 吳希賢 (1437–1489) - Jinshi, 1464; 1 poems and 1 seals of Lü Chang 呂㦂 (1449–1511) - Juren, 1471; 1 poems and 3 seals of Fu Han 傅瀚 (1435–1502) - Jinshi, 1464; 1 poems and 1 seals of Feng Jue 馮珏 (life dates unknown) - Jinshi, 1478. translation: remark: inscription: Chrysanthemums section, poem 1, by Zhang Yuanzhen 張元禎 (1437–1507): Several bushes of chrysanthemums grow in front of the Five-Willow Cottage,/ The yellow ones are really yellow and the white ones white./ This affable and decent fellow, young in years and unsophisticated,/ Has snapped one of the branches to dip in ink. (The Five-Willows Cottage was the home of the poet Tao Qian 陶潛 (Tao Yuanming 陶淵明, AD 365-427).) Chrysanthemums section, poem 2, by Ni Yue 倪岳 (1444–1501): Where at the Eastern Fence can you grieve for the Soul of the Xiang River?/ A man of upright character is mourned within the traces of ink./ White jade with a slight flaw would be a grievance forever,/ Later men should understand why even the roots of the flowers are washed. (Eastern Fence refers again to the poet Tao Qian 陶潛, while the Soul of the Hsiang River refers to the poet Qu Yuan 屈原 (c. 340–278 BC).) Chrysanthemums section, poem 3, by Zhao Xiang 趙祥 (life dates unknown): A clump of chrysanthemum grows in front of the bamboo pavilion,/ The winds of many autumns have blown since we parted beyond the river./ Straining wine through the official's cap of Tao [Qian] to prolong autumn's pleasures,/ The mists and clouds of ten thousand miles belong to the intoxicated. Chrysanthemums section, poem 4, by Wu Xixian 吳希賢 (1437–1489): It is a different spring if mulberry is planted during the latter part of the year,/ The dust of the world originally did not drop on clothing./ Who spills out ink under the Eastern Fence/ And paints so freely this portrait of chrysanthemums for the venerable Sir Tao? Chrysanthemums section, poem 5, by Lü Chang 呂㦂 (1449–1511): This full tray of ink for painting [flowers] at the Eastern Fence;/ Their whiteness or yellowness is not essential in capturing their beauty./ I don't have to go to Jiangnan to see them myself./ At my old house grow two or three branches. Chrysanthemums section, poem 6, by Fu Han 傅瀚 (1435–1502): Who daubed autumn flowers with ink/ As if they were dark dew on a branch tip only vaguely seen at evening?/ After the lazy clouds disperse, no one paints;/ A certain unconventionality pervades this painting. Chrysanthemums section, poem 7, by Feng Jue 馮珏 (life dates unknown): To satisfy his hunger, [the chrysanthemums] have at times entered the poetry of Qu Yuan;/ Taking up the wine cup, it felt close to Tao Qian./ [With them I am like] a lonely root sustained by deep water/ Or an old man to whose hair the color of youth returns. translation: remark: inscription: Section B (Cabbage): 1 poem and 1 seal of Cai Qi 蔡圻 (life dates unknown) - degree information not known; 1 poems and 3 seals of Ni Yue 倪岳 (1444–1501) - Jinshi, 1464; 1 poem and 3 seals of Jiao Fang 焦芳 (1436–1517) - Jinshi, 1464; 1 poem and 3 seals of Li Dongyang 李東陽 (1447–1516) - Jinshi, 1464; 1 poems and 1 seals of Wu Xixian, signed “Xixian” 吳希賢 - Jinshi, 1464; 1 poems and 3 seals of Fu Han 傅瀚 (1435–1502) - Jinshi, 1464; 1 poems and 1 seals of Lü Chang 呂㦂 (1449–1511) - Juren, 1471; 1 poems and 2 seals of Zhao Xiang 趙祥 (life dates unknown) - Jinshi, 1469; 1 poems and 1 seals of Feng Jue 馮珏 (life dates unknown) - Jinshi, 1478. translation: remark: inscription: Cabbage section, poem 1, by Cai Qi 蔡圻 (life dates unknown): The ink splashes are fresh from a frosty brush dipped in pond water;/ I can visualize that time when Yunhu 雲湖 [Tao Cheng] first showed his talents./ I lament the places where I scribbled before,/ Who would open them to inscribe a poem? (The first line is an allusion to the famous Jin dynasty calligrapher Wang Xizhi 王羲之 (AD 303-361), who practiced calligraphy so diligently at the edge of a pond that the water turned black with ink.) Cabbage section, poem 2, by Ni Yue 倪岳 (1444–1501): After rain the vegetables begin to grow;/ How are the colors of the masses lately!/ Once you get used to them, the tastiest parts are the ends of the roots;/ I don't know if they can be used for "seasoning soup." ("Seasoning soup" is an allusion to the statesmanship of a chief minister.) Cabbage section, poem 3, by Jiao Fang 焦芳 (1436–1517): This crop of purple stalks and green leaves is late and irregular;/ Now the rainy season is over for the Eastern Garden./ All the nobles nowadays dine on meat;/ Who of them knows the flavor of this [cabbage]. Cabbage section, poem 4, by Li Dongyang 李東陽 (1447–1516): It's always helped the honest man to sober up after drinks./ I intend to go to the deepest part of the stream-crossed garden/ To refresh myself in the fragrance and dew of evening. Cabbage section, poem 5, by Wu Xixian 吳希賢 (1437–1489): After rain, the white silk is filled with fragrant vegetables;/ How many times this happens in Mr. Tao's paintings./ On whom will you depend to present a memorial to the ruler?/ Don't let this color emerge on the faces of the people. (The last line is meant as a warning to officials: the color of the vegetables (green) may be pleasing in itself, but when it emerges on the faces of the starving poor, it signifies a badly governed world.) Cabbage section, poem 6, by Fu Han 傅瀚 (1435–1502): For twenty years I have feasted on the excellent mutton of an official;/ Yet I talk and dream about the garden and its vegetables./ Do not merely say it is good to chew the root of the cabbage--/ You must taste to understand what poverty is. Cabbage section, poem 7, by Lu Chang 呂㦂 (1449–1511): The capital is never a place for an apprentice in the "garden of scholarship."/ Who would write about gardens and vegetables on an examination paper?/ I've walked throughout the country in spring;/ Make sure the people don't show this color. Cabbage section, poem 8, by Zhao Xiang 趙祥 (life dates unknown): After a wash of rain, the spring garden is still in order;/ The flavor [of the cabbage] is more suitable with a small drink and the hum of a tune./ The rich and powerful in their mansions consume dish after dish of meat;/ Vegetarian food is known only by the scholars. Cabbage section, poem 9, by Feng Jue 馮珏 (life dates unknown): A new cabbage is nourished with dew;/ It takes a long time to grow and mature./ The business of "seasoning the soup" is your responsibility;/ Better command the gardener to take care [of the cabbages]. trans. HK/LYSL/WKH translation: remark: --- CURRENT EXHIBITIONS title: 1000 Jahre Chinesische Malerei opening date: 1959-10-16T04:00:00 1000 Jahre Chinesische Malerei. Haus der Kunst, Munich, Mùnich, Germany (organizer) (October 16-December 13, 1959). title: Year in Review - Nineteen Hundred Sixty opening date: 1960-11-30T05:00:00 Year in Review - Nineteen Hundred Sixty. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (November 30, 1960-January 1, 1961). title: Chinese Art opening date: 1962-01-08T05:00:00 Chinese Art. Smith College Museum of Art, Northampton, MA (organizer) (January 8-26, 1962). title: The Colors of Ink opening date: 1974-01-10T04:00:00 The Colors of Ink. Asia House Galleries (January 10-March 3, 1974); The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (April 9-May 12, 1974). title: Asian Autumn: Masterpieces from the Collection opening date: 1991-09-17T04:00:00 Asian Autumn: Masterpieces from the Collection. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (September 17, 1991-January 5, 1992). title: Chinese Gallery 240a Rotation – August 2016 opening date: 2016-08-01T04:00:00 Chinese Gallery 240a Rotation – August 2016. The Cleveland Museum of Art (organizer) (August 1, 2016-February 6, 2017). --- LEGACY EXHIBITIONS * {'description': 'Chiao-yü-pu. [Jiao yu bu di er ci quan guo mei shu zhan lan hui zhuan ji 敎育部第二次全國美術展覽會專集 = A special collection of the second National Exhibition of Chinese Art under the auspices of the Ministry of Education]. Nanking Art Gallery, Nanjing, China (April 1-23, 1937).', 'opening_date': '1937-04-01T05:00:00Z'} * {'description': 'Chinese Paintings. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (July 19-August 7, 1960).', 'opening_date': '1960-07-19T00:00:00'} * {'description': 'Eight Dynasties of Chinese Painting. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (November 7, 1980-January 4, 1981); The Cleveland Museum of Art (February 10-March 29, 1981); Tokyo National Museum (October 4-November 17, 1982).', 'opening_date': '1981-02-10T00:00:00'} --- PROVENANCE Zhang Heng 張珩 [1915–1963] date: footnotes: citations: Xu Bangda 徐邦達 [1911–2012] date: footnotes: citations: (Walter Hochstadter [1914–2007], New York, NY) date: footnotes: citations: Severance A. [1895-1985] and Greta Millikin [1903-1989], Cleveland, OH date: footnotes: citations: Mr. and Mrs. Courtney Burton, given to the Cleveland Museum of Art date: ?-1960 footnotes: citations: The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH date: 1960- footnotes: citations: --- fun fact: digital description: wall description: --- RELATED WORKS --- CITATIONS Jiao yu bu di er ci quan guo mei shu zhan lan hui zhuan ji [敎育部第二次全國美術展覽會專集 = A special collection of the second National Exhibition of Chinese Art under the auspices of the Ministry of Education]. Nanjing: Shang wu yin shu guan, 1937. page number: cat. no. 133 url: Sirén, Osvald. Chinese Painting: Leading Masters and Principles. New York: Ronald Press, 1956. page number: Mentioned: IV, 221; VII, Lists, 241 url: Goepper, Roger. 1000 Jahre chinesische Malerei. München: Haus der Kunst, 1959. page number: cat. no. 43 url: Cleveland Museum of Art, “Recent Acquisition Press Release,” October 4, 1960, Cleveland Museum of Art Archives. page number: url: https://archive.org/details/cmapr0616 Chinese Art: An Exhibition of Paintings, Jades, Bronzes and Ceramics: Being a Contribution Made by Smith College Museum of Art to the College Interim Session, 1962. Northampton, MA: [The Museum], 1962. page number: cat. no. 19 url: The Cleveland Museum of Art. Handbook of the Cleveland Museum of Art/1966. Cleveland, OH: The Cleveland Museum of Art, 1966. page number: Reproduced: p. 263 url: https://archive.org/details/CMAHandbook1966/page/n287 The Cleveland Museum of Art. Handbook of the Cleveland Museum of Art/1969. Cleveland, OH: The Cleveland Museum of Art, 1969. page number: Reproduced: p. 263 url: https://archive.org/details/CMAHandbook1969/page/n287 Suzuki, Kei 鈴木敬. Chūgoku bijutsu 中國美術. Tōkyō: Kōdansha, 1972. page number: Reproduced: II, pt. 2, 248, pl. 75 url: Lee, Sherman Emery, and James Robinson. The Colors of Ink: Chinese Paintings and Related Ceramics from the Cleveland Museum of Art. New York: Asia Society; distributed by New York Graphic Society, 1974. page number: cat. no. 29 url: The Cleveland Museum of Art. Handbook of the Cleveland Museum of Art/1978. Cleveland, OH: The Cleveland Museum of Art, 1978. page number: Reproduced: p. 349 url: https://archive.org/details/CMAHandbook1978/page/n369 Chou, Ju-hsi and Anita Chung. Silent poetry: Chinese paintings from the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Cleveland, OH: Cleveland Museum of Art, 2015. page number: Reproduced: pp. 237-241 url: --- IMAGES web: https://openaccess-cdn.clevelandart.org/1960.40/1960.40_web.jpg print: https://openaccess-cdn.clevelandart.org/1960.40/1960.40_print.jpg full: https://openaccess-cdn.clevelandart.org/1960.40/1960.40_full.tif