COLLECTION NAME:
The AMICA Library
Record
AMICA ID:
AIC_.1943.133
AMICA Library Year:
1999
Object Type:
Paintings
Creator Name:
Ren, Yi
Creator Nationality:
Asian; Far East Asian; Chinese
Creator Dates/Places:
Chinese; 1840-1895 Asia,East Asia,China
Creator Name-CRT:
Ren Yi
Title:
The Five Relationships
Title Type:
preferred
View:
full view
Creation Date:
Qing Dynasty (1644-1912); ca. 1840-1895
Creation Start Date:
1840
Creation End Date:
1895
Materials and Techniques:
Hanging scroll. Ink and colors on paper.
Classification Term:
Hanging Scroll
Subject Description:
The painting depicts five types of birds arranged around wutong trees and a cliff. In fact this image functions as a rebus, and its theme can be traced back in painting to at least the Ming dynasty. The birds - phoenixes, Manchurian cranes, Mandarin ducks, orioles, and wagtails - symbolize what are known as the 'Five Relationships' (Wu lun). In Neo-Confucian philosophy, these were the social relationships between prince and minister, father and son, husband and wife, friends, and elder and younger brothers. The harmonious balance within and between each of these was seen as criticial for the creation of a harmonious society.(Little, 1999)
Creation Place:
Asia,East Asia,China
Dimensions:
74 x 38 in.149.2 x 81.3 cm.
AMICA Contributor:
The Art Institute of Chicago
Owner Location:
Chicago, Illinois, USA
ID Number:
1943.133
Credit Line:
The Art Institute of Chicago, Gift of Florence Ayscough and Harley Farnsworth MacNair
Related Image Identifier Link:
AIC_.E29888.TIF
