Pomegranates

1947

Not on view

This quickly executed album leaf by Qi Baishi depicts a classic auspicious subject: pomegranates, whose bounty of seeds imply fertility and a wish for many sons. Qi reinforced the message with a seal-script inscription that may be read as either “Many seeds” or “many sons”—the same character may be read as either “seeds” or sons”. This small painting was executed in the long-lived artist’s ninetieth year.

Artwork Details

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Provenance

清/現代　齊白石　石榴多子圖　軸
Title: Pomegranates
Artist: Qi Baishi (Chinese, 1864–1957)
Date: 1947
Culture: China
Medium: Framed hanging scroll; ink and color on paper
Dimensions: Image: 12 7/8 × 17 5/8 in. (32.7 × 44.8 cm)
Classification: Paintings
Credit Line: Bequest of Robert Hatfield Ellsworth, 2014
Object Number: 2019.290.7
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

By Qi Baishi

In the same medium

From the same time and place

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Windblown Orchids, Qi Baishi Chinese, Hanging scroll; ink and pale color on paper, China — Windblown Orchids
Qi Baishi
20th century

Seal, Qi Baishi Chinese, Soapstone (shoushan type), China — Seal
Qi Baishi
20th century

Chicks, Qi Baishi Chinese, Hanging scroll; ink wash on paper, China — Chicks
Qi Baishi
20th century

Birds and Flowers of the Four Seasons, Qi Baishi Chinese, Four framed hanging scrolls; ink and color on paper, China — Birds and Flowers of the Four Seasons
Qi Baishi
dated 1920

Mandarin orange, Qi Baishi Chinese, Framed album leaf; ink on paper, China — Mandarin orange
Qi Baishi
undated

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