Cranes, peach tree, and China rose

Shen Quan

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

In 1731 the court painter Shen Quan traveled to Nagasaki at the request of the Japanese government. During his nearly two years in Japan, Shen and his students produced a large number of paintings in this style—typified by bold ink brushwork for rocks and trees paired with meticulous application of color for birds and flowers—which served as an enduring inspiration to Japanese artists. This example combines cranes, peaches, and lingzhi fungus, all symbols of longevity or immortality, along with bamboo and China rose (yueji).

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35,000 objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B.C. to the twenty-first century—is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world. Each of the many civilizations of Asia is represented by outstanding works, providing an unrivaled experience of the artistic traditions of nearly half the world.

Metropolitan Museum of Art