Red Camellias
Qi Baishi, Red Camellias, 1945/1955, color woodblock print on paper, Gift of Donald and Mel Jenkins, © unknown, research required, 67.15.4
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- Title
Red Camellias
- Related Titles
original language: 茶花圖
- Artist
- Date
1945/1955
- Medium
color woodblock print on paper
- Dimensions (H x W x D)
image: 8 13/16 in x 12 1/4 in; sheet: 12 9/16 in x 15 11/16 in
- Inscriptions & Markings
seal: 齊大, printed, lower right Transliteration: Qida Language: Chinese
signature: 白石, printed, lower right Transliteration (Translation): Baishi (White Stone) Language: Chinese
inscription: 寒時節此花亦梅花之友, printed, right margin Transliteration (Translation): Sui han shi jie ci hua yi mei hua zhi you (In cold weather, this flower is also a friend of plum blossom) Language: Chinese
- Collection Area
Asian Art; Graphic Arts
- Category
Prints
- Object Type
relief print
- Culture
Chinese
- Credit Line
Gift of Donald and Mel Jenkins
- Accession Number
67.15.4
- Copyright
© unknown, research required
- Terms
Qi's subject here alludes to the classical theme of the Three Friends of Winter—pine, bamboo, and plum blossoms—plants that thrive in cold weather. Camellias are not included in the traditional grouping, but Baishi cherished their ability to bloom in even the harshest weather. He writes, "This flower [the camellia], too, is a friend of the plum during the cold season."
The strong contrast between red flowers and black leaves (紅花墨葉 honghua moye) in this print is seen often in Qi's work.
