Manual of Birds
Anonymous, Qing dynasty (1644-1911)
Album leaf, ink and colors on silk, 41.2 x 43.9 cm
The original title of this album is "Collaborative Copy of Jiang Tingxi's 'Manual of Birds'" by Yu Sheng (1692-after 1767) and Zhang Weibang. On exhibit here are the first to thirteenth leaves.
On the right side of each folding leaf is a depiction in fine-line brushwork and Western painting methods for a different kind of bird, including some of legend and myth. On the left is a text written in Chinese and Manchu for the name of the bird, its habits, and environs, making it similar to a modern illustrated almanac of birds. This album employs the compositional forms and artistic methods of bird-and-flower painting to record the features and habitats of birds. The leaves, moreover, can be regarded as individual works of art. The unique ideas and contents in this album make it a rarity in the history of Chinese bird-and-flower painting, bestowing upon it exceptional artistic value.
Exhibit List
- Period
- Artist
- Title
- Note
- Size (cm)
- Qing dynasty
- Anonymous
- 1. Manual of Birds: Phoenix
- Album leaf, ink and colors on paper
- 41.2X43.9
- Qing dynasty
- Anonymous
- 2. Manual of Birds: Luan
- Album leaf, ink and colors on paper
- 41.2X43.9
- Qing dynasty
- Anonymous
- 3. Manual of Birds: Creen Peafowl (Pavo muticus)
- Album leaf, ink and colors on paper
- 41.2X43.9
- Qing dynasty
- Anonymous
- 4. Manual of Birds: Male Peacock with Tail Feathers Displayed (Pavo muticus)
- Album leaf, ink and colors on paper
- 41.2X43.9
- Qing dynasty
- Anonymous
- 5. Manual of Birds: Manchurian Crane (Grus japonensis)
- Album leaf, ink and colors on paper
- 41.2X43.9
- Qing dynasty
- Anonymous
- 6. Manual of Birds: Common Crane (Grus grus)
- Album leaf, ink and colors on paper
- 41.2X43.9
- Qing dynasty
- Anonymous
- 7. Manual of Birds: Demoiselle Crane (Anthropoides virgo)
- Album leaf, ink and colors on paper
- 41.2X43.9
- Qing dynasty
- Anonymous
- 8. Manual of Birds: Great White Crane (Grus leucogeranus)
- Album leaf, ink and colors on paper
- 41.2X43.9
- Qing dynasty
- Anonymous
- 9. Manual of Birds: Northern Magpie (Pica pica)
- Album leaf, ink and colors on paper
- 41.2X43.9
- Qing dynasty
- Anonymous
- 10. Manual of Birds: Magpie (Pica pica)
- Album leaf, ink and colors on paper
- 41.2X43.9
- Qing dynasty
- Anonymous
- 11. Manual of Birds: Azure-winged Magpie (Cyanopica cyana)
- Album leaf, ink and colors on paper
- 41.2X43.9
- Qing dynasty
- Anonymous
- 12. Manual of Birds: White Magpie (Pica pica var. albino)
- Album leaf, ink and colors on paper
- 41.2X43.9