Cat and Butterfly1788 · Study 1985.71.5

Context from the museum

Min Zhen, who was orphaned at age 12 and developed an eccentric personality, was trained by Tang Yin (1682–1756), a writer, playwright, and superintendent of the imperial porcelain workshops in Jingdezhen. The connection to him may have enabled Min to stay in Beijing for a decade from around 1773. It is not clear whether he ever resided in Yangzhou, but his style is in many instances reminiscent of that of Yangzhou artist Huang Shen. The album was painted for his friend Dailili Shanren in exchange for a scholar’s stone. The paintings demonstrate the artist’s versatility and mature style in the last years of his life. While two leaves are rendered in unconventional compositions seen from above ( Cat and Butterfly CMA 1985.71.5 ) and below ( Banana Plant CMA 1985.71.11 ), they have a humorous touch. “Cat and butterfly” is a homophone for the Chinese characters “mao die,” meaning “octogenarian,” and express the wish for the recipient’s longevity. The banana plant stands for the world of literati but can also allude to Buddhism.

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

A detail to notice

Cat and butterfly are homophones for the characters “mao die” 耄耋 (octogenarian), so this painting expresses hope that the artist's friend will live a long life.

Observation supplied by the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Read the dimensions before the image

The selected sheet measurement for Cat and Butterfly is 18.4 cm wide and 29 cm high, equivalent to approximately 7.2 × 11.4 inches. Dividing width by height gives a format ratio of 0.63:1. The rectangular bounding area is 0.05 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 6.1% of the span before adding a frame. A centered placement leaves approximately 140.8 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 Cat and Butterfly in view, identify one feature you can point to, then distinguish what the museum records from your personal response. Keep its medium, album leaf, ink on paper, in your notes when comparing contemporary works.

• Which part of this vertical composition catches your eye first?
• Would a 18.4 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?