Eternal Spring: Pines
Kemper Family Foundations Balcony and Ingrid & J.K. Lee Study Center
Kanō Naonobu, Pine and Wood Pigeons in Autumn, 1600s, Gift of Curtis Besinger, Professor Emeritus, 1996.0185.a
The ability of pine trees to survive harsh conditions and remain green during winter makes them ideal symbols of endurance and fortitude. The twisted branches and delicate needles of pine trees were an excellent subject for brush-and-ink artists to demonstrate their painting abilities. Pines can live for centuries and are closely associated with immortality in East Asia. According to Daoism, a Chinese religion and philosophy that emphasizes harmony with nature, the consumption of pine sap and resin is believed to promote long life. For a better understanding, 17th-century Japanese poet Matsuo Bashō advised, “to learn about pine trees; go to the pine trees.”
Exhibition Resources
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