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Fan (Pien-Mien)

Zhang Jinjian

Fan (Pien-Mien)

1893-1894

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Zhang Jinjian

Fan (Pien-Mien)

1893-1894

Physical Qualities Ink and color on silk, ivory handle with silk cord and tassel, 28-1/2 x 11-1/4 in. (72.4 x 28.6 cm.) with tassel
Credit Line Gift of Elizabeth F. Cheney, Oak Park, Illinois
Object Number 1980.201
Although painted in the 1890s, this fan imitates a style which originated in the south of China during the Song dynasty and developed to its highest level in the Yuan dynasty. A poem on the reverse pays tribute to Chinese philosopher-scholars who by practicing the five classical virtues (benevolence, uprightness, property, knowledge, and good faith) raise themselves far above the level of ordinary men and also bring benefit to lesser people of humble attainments. These individuals are compared to the "noble orchids" (as shown on the face of the fan), which spread their beautiful fragrance over the less pleasant smelling artmesia plant. Translations provided by Dr. Ka-Che Yip, Professor, University of Maryland at College Park; Mr. Daison Gu Graduate student, Johns Hopkins University; and Dr. Chi Wang Head, Chinese and Korean Section, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. and his staff.
The Baltimore Museum of Art by gift, 1980; Elizabeth F. Cheney, Oak Park, Illinois
Jones, Anita. Baltimore Museum of Art, "Fans," April 3-July 22, 1990.

Inscribed: Gist Translation of Inscriptions on Back of Fan: "(The attributes of wise men are) first they are willing to change their academic residence and become martyrs, to follow in the footsteps of Confucius and Mo-tzu. They can exhibit their virtue of filial piety, as in the story of (Meng Tsung crying to get) winter bamboo shoots (to make soup for his mother to get well again); and their reputation becomes equal to (the two Confucian scholars) Tseng (Ts'an) and Min (Tzu-ch'ien) (known for their filial piety). Their stories are handed down for posterity to the present age, so that their descendants have flourished. They were rich in the qualities of heavenly nobility and bright enlightenment, which were uniquely shown in extraordinary talents. Thus they surpassed the flourishment of Chung Kung (Tseng Tai, Sung Dynasty scholar) ad good fortune of the family of Yang Yuan (Wei Hsu of the Chin Dynasty). They were as Buddhist-Taoist priests who have been endowed with the harmonious union of heaven and earth (yin and yang). They practice the virtuous blessing from Heaven exemplified n the five virtues (benevolence, uprightness of mind, propriety, knowledge, and good faith); and they are like orchids (epidendrums) spreading their fragrance and covering up the odoriferous artemesia plants (representing men of humble attainments) in the bright moon-light of flowery spring time, spreading out the misty floating clouds in the clear stillness of the night. They are as priceless treasure of a full foot of valuable hade coming out of Yen ch'eng (capital city of Ch'u Kingdome during the Warring States period). - Summer of the year Chia-wu during the reign of Luang-hsu (1894) Inscribed by Ch'i-t'ang; En-lin (Style names of Miao Ping-t'ai)" Translation by Dr. Ka-Che Yip Professor, University of Maryland at College Park; Mr. Daison Gu Graduate student, Johns Hopkins University; and Dr. Chi Wang Head, Chinese and Korean Section, Library of Congress.

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