Squirrel on an Autumn Branch

Xugu (Zhu Huairen)

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

This image displays Xu Gu's virtuosic juxtaposition of the fine brushwork of the squirrel's fur with the bold strokes that define the branches and leaves. Balanced between naturalistic observation and daring abstraction, the animated image is both impressionistic and illusionistic.

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