Peonies
On loan to The Met
This work of art is currently on loan to the museum.With its lush petals, the peony is admired for its beauty and as a symbol of material prosperity and good fortune. In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, peony paintings were popular in various formats, from folding screens to single panels. The artist has taken a graphic and uninhibited approach to this subject, using loose lines and dark pigments. As a visualization of abundance, the blossoms, leaves, and stems of the peonies fill the entire painting surface. At the bottom is a blue rock, which is frequently paired with peonies. On the lower left, a child used the painting as a place to practice their letters.
Artwork Details
- 작자미상 모란도 조선
- 作者未詳 牡丹圖 朝鮮
- Title: Peonies
- Artist: Unidentified artist
- Period: Joseon dynasty (1392–1910)
- Date: 20th century
- Culture: Korea
- Medium: Framed painting; ink and color on paper
- Dimensions: Frame: 59 3/16 × 26 13/16 × 7/8 in. (150.3 × 68.1 × 2.2 cm)
- Classification: Paintings
- Credit Line: Lent by the children of Lea Sneider
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art