Ink bamboo
A branch of bamboo stretches across this handscroll, its dangling leaves framing a poem inscribed by the artist. The verse reveals that the scene was observed by moonlight after the artist had awoken from a tipsy nap:
The moon sinks low in the fourth watch, paper windows seem empty,
Stirring from a drunken sleep, I prop my head and read awhile,
Lofty thoughts—I force myself, but can’t help it;
Ten stalks, still green in winter, cast profuse shadows.
—Translation after Marc F. Wilson and Kwan S. Wong
The moon sinks low in the fourth watch, paper windows seem empty,
Stirring from a drunken sleep, I prop my head and read awhile,
Lofty thoughts—I force myself, but can’t help it;
Ten stalks, still green in winter, cast profuse shadows.
—Translation after Marc F. Wilson and Kwan S. Wong
Artwork Details
- 明 唐寅 墨竹圖 卷
- Title: Ink bamboo
- Artist: Tang Yin (Chinese, 1470–1524)
- Period: Ming dynasty (1368–1644)
- Date: early 16th century
- Culture: China
- Medium: Handscroll; ink on paper
- Dimensions: Image: 11 7/16 × 59 1/8 in. (29.1 × 150.2 cm)
Overall with mounting: 11 7/8 in. × 24 ft. 1 9/16 in. (30.2 × 735.5 cm) - Classification: Paintings
- Credit Line: Bequest of John M. Crawford Jr., 1988
- Object Number: 1989.363.54
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art
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