A Pair of Peafowllate 1400s-early 1500s · Study 1964.242

Context from the museum

The peacock, identified by the flamboyant tail, is paired with a female peahen to its right. In lowering her head, the hen seems to show respect to the male peacock. With his articulate brushstrokes and strong contrasting tones, Lin Liang’s representation in black ink appears as vivid as Yin Hong’s colorful peacock (1974.31). The painter skillfully uses wet and dry ink as well as broad and thin washes to represent the plumage of the bird. The surface of the rocks, depicted in powerful sweeping strokes, recalls the landscape painting style of the Zhe School, which specialized in expressive brushwork.

Museum description reproduced from its CC0 open-access record. Read the original catalog entry.

Read the dimensions before the image

The selected painting measurement for A Pair of Peafowl is 106 cm wide and 160 cm high, equivalent to approximately 41.7 × 63.0 inches. Dividing width by height gives a format ratio of 0.66:1. The rectangular bounding area is 1.70 square meters; it describes the measured footprint, not the amount of paint or the monetary value.

On an illustrative 300 cm wall, the recorded width occupies 35.3% of the span before adding a frame. A centered placement leaves approximately 97.0 cm on each side before adding a frame. These are calculations by Physical Art For Crypto using museum measurements. They are not the museum’s display recommendations.

Questions to bring to your own collection

With A Pair of Peafowl in view, identify one feature you can point to, then distinguish what the museum records from your personal response. Keep its medium, hanging scroll, ink on silk, in your notes when comparing contemporary works.

• Which part of this vertical composition catches your eye first?
• Would a 106 cm width still suit the space after allowing for furniture and a frame?
• What surface detail would you need to see in person or in a close photograph?