Painting study · Ink painting
Three Purities1878 · Study 1999.193
Zhang Xiong (Chinese, 1803–1886)
1878
Recorded as hanging scroll; ink and color on paper, this vertical work measures 44 × 168 cm using the museum’s overall dimensions. Explore the museum’s context and compare the format with a wall of your choice.
Museum collection reference. This work is not offered for sale by Physical Art For Crypto. Museum attribution does not imply a partnership or endorsement.
Context from the museum
As an artist, Zhang Xiong first attained fame in his native city Jiaxing, Zhejiang province. When the turmoil of the Taiping rebellion spread to his area, he decided to move to Shanghai where he became the elderly spokesman for the art scene in this newly rising metropolis. He is best remembered for his bird-and-flower paintings, of which this painting certainly is a fine example. "The Three Purities" refer to pine (symbol of longevity), plum blossoms (continual renewal of life), and bamboo (inner strength), plants that can endure and thrive during the winter season. A cluster of narcissus is a fitting complement as it is emblematic for immortality.
Museum description reproduced from its CC0 open-access record. Read the original catalog entry.
A detail to notice
This painting was dedicated to an older individual on one of his birthdays.
Observation supplied by the Cleveland Museum of Art.
Read the dimensions before the image
The selected overall measurement for Three Purities is 44 cm wide and 168 cm high, equivalent to approximately 17.3 × 66.1 inches. Dividing width by height gives a format ratio of 0.26:1. The rectangular bounding area is 0.74 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 14.7% of the span before adding a frame. A centered placement leaves approximately 128.0 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 Three Purities 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 and color on paper, in your notes when comparing contemporary works.
- Which part of this vertical composition catches your eye first?
- Would a 44 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?
Explore physical scale
How large would this format feel on your wall?
Use this museum work’s recorded format as a reference. Adjust a blank wall and optional frame allowance to compare proportions. The museum painting is an educational reference and is not for sale here.
Calculation: outside width = recorded width + twice your frame allowance. This is a proportion study, not an installation assessment. It excludes furniture, hardware, load capacity, depth and delivery clearance. The display image may include margins absent from the recorded measurement.
Compare formats with the studio collection
These Lei-Kol works have the closest width-to-height ratios in the current catalog. This is a geometry comparison, not a claim of artistic similarity, equivalent value, or association with the museum artist.
| Painting | Width × height | Format ratio | USD catalog price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheesecake | 24 × 48 in | 0.50:1 | $1,099 |
| Riptide | 24 × 48 in | 0.50:1 | $1,199 |
| Graffiti | 30 × 48 in | 0.63:1 | $2,199 |
Availability and delivery costs must be confirmed for the individual order.
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