pine tree, Xiao Sun

Artwork Overview

Xiao Sun, pine tree
Xiao Sun, pine tree
pine tree
1940, Republic of China (1911–1949)
1883–1944
pine tree, 1940, Republic of China (1911–1949)
Where object was made: China
Material/technique: ink; color; paper
Dimensions:
Image Dimensions Height/Width (Height x Width): 71 x 22 cm
Image Dimensions Height/Width (Height x Width): 27 15/16 x 8 11/16 in
Mount Dimensions (Height x Width x Depth): 168.9 x 35.1 cm
Mount Dimensions (Height x Width x Depth): 66 1/2 x 13 13/16 in
Credit line: Gift of Marilyn Stokstad in Honor of the Fifty Anniversary of the Spencer Museum of Art
Accession number: 1983.0001
Not on display
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Label texts

Archive Label 2003:
The pine and flowering plum both represent endurance to the Chinese. Pine trees were admired because of their ability to withstand the hardships of winter, and plum trees as they were the first to blossom in early spring, often when there is still snow on the ground. To Chinese scholars these trees symbolized strength of character and moral integrity; and in this respect they referred to them as "gentlemen." It is with this symbolism in mind that Xiao painted this work and presented it to his friend with a wish for long life.