Two Pines Artist: Tang Yifen (Chinese, 1778–1853)

1840

Asian Art

On view, 2nd floor, Asian Art

Initially a military official who traveled throughout southern China, Tang Yifen eventually settled in Nanjing, devoting himself to calligraphy, poetry, and the sciences, such as astronomy. It remains unclear why he died during the tumultuous years of the Taiping Rebellion (1850–64), but it is possible that he was involved in defending Nanjing. Although the composition of two pine trees and rocks is a standard feature in the foreground of Chinese paintings, Tang’s focused, close-up rendering of this theme creates a sense of immediacy and intimacy that would not be possible if he had depicted the subject from a greater distance.

Medium

Hanging scroll; ink and color on paper

Dimensions

without mounting: 71 × 38 5/8 in. (180.4 × 98.1 cm)
with mounting: 121 7/8 × 45 13/16 in. (309.5 × 116.4 cm)
with rollers: 50 3/16 in. (127.5 cm)

Credit Line

Gift of David Y. Wong in memory of Wong Nan-p'ing

Accession Number

1991.116.2

Geography

China

Culture

Chinese

Period

Qing dynasty (1644–1911)

Classification

Paintings

Disclaimer

Note: This electronic record was created from historic documentation that does not necessarily reflect the Yale University Art Gallery’s complete or current knowledge about the object. Review and updating of records is ongoing.

Object copyright
No Copyright - United States
Additional information

Object/Work type

botanical, hanging scrolls

Subject

pine trees

Technical metadata and APIs

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Open in Mirador

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