Chrysanthemums and Cabbagec. 1486 or before · Study 1960.40

Context from the museum

On an autumn day in Beijing, Tao Cheng had a gathering with a group of scholar-officials and created two paintings in a spontaneous, casual style. The first depicts chrysanthemums, slender bamboo stalks, and a rock in monochrome ink. Tao applied light colors for the second painting that depicts cabbage. Tao deliberately placed the images on the first sections of the paper so that his honorable guests could add their poetic inscriptions inspired by his imagery. In the first section to the right, all seven poetic inscriptions refer to the beloved poet and recluse Tao Qian (also called Tao Yuanming, AD 365–427) who was particularly known for his profound love for chrysanthemum flowers. Most of the inscriptions in the second section express sympathy for the poor, since cabbage is the main ingredient in their humble food. Taken together, the poems and paintings allude to the life and responsibilities of the scholar-official: the importance of both an upright character and a concern for the poor citizens in order to achieve good government.

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

A detail to notice

Eminent calligrapher Wang Wenzhi (王文治) was only 27 sui (years old) when he wrote the title in 1756.

Observation supplied by the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Read the dimensions before the image

The selected overall measurement for Chrysanthemums and Cabbage is 253.7 cm wide and 28.6 cm high, equivalent to approximately 99.9 × 11.3 inches. Dividing width by height gives a format ratio of 8.87:1. The rectangular bounding area is 0.73 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 84.6% of the span before adding a frame. A centered placement leaves approximately 23.2 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 Chrysanthemums and Cabbage in view, identify one feature you can point to, then distinguish what the museum records from your personal response. Keep its medium, handscroll; ink and slight color on paper, in your notes when comparing contemporary works.

• Which part of this horizontal composition catches your eye first?
• Would a 253.7 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?