Public data from the Cleveland Museum of Art. Learn more
Three Purities
by Zhang Xiong
About the Artwork
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.
Inscriptions
Artist's inscription and seal in the upper left, dated 戊寅 [1878].
Provenance
(Chelsea Art Co., Ltd., Hong Kong, sold to Mr. and Mrs. James Reid) ?–1999: Mr. James Sims Reid Jr. [1926–2020] and Mrs. Donna S. Reid [b. 1931], Cleveland Heights, OH, given to the Cleveland Museum of Art 1999–: The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
Quick Overview
- Artist
- Zhang Xiong (Chinese, 1803–1886)
- Date
- 1878
- Medium
- hanging scroll; ink and color on paper
- Dimensions
- Overall: 168 x 44 cm (66 1/8 x 17 5/16 in.)
- Type
- Painting
- Classification
- Painting
- Department
- Chinese Art
- Credit line
- Gift of Mr. and Mrs. James S. Reid
- Accession no.
- 1999.193
More by Zhang Xiong in museum collections
Data retrieved from the Cleveland Museum of Art on October 8, 2026. The museum may have updated its record since.
Open-access museum record · AT-00009855
Powered by Art Trackers