博
Artist: Sun Kehong (1533-1611), Lan Ying (1585-after 1664) et al.
Date: Ming (1368-1644)
Dimensions: Height 20.9 cm, Width 416.7 cm
Material: Ink and color on paper
This handscroll is a collaborative work by Sun Kehong (1533-1611) of Huating, Zhang Zhong of Su county, Sun Zhi of Wu town, Lan Ying (1585-after 1664) of Qiantang, Xu Yi of Wuxi, and others. Three sections of the scroll were created at Sun Kehong's request. It took nearly thirty years to finish the whole painting. Sun Kehong, also known by his zi (designated name) Yunzhi, hao (literary name) Xueju, was the son of Sun Cheng'en, Minister of Rites. Sun Kehong became an official through hereditary privilege and rose to the position of Prefect of Hanyang. After retiring to his hometown, Sun Kehong devoted himself to the study of antiquities, calligraphy, and painting, excelling particularly in bird-and-flower painting. He was especially renowned for his paintings of red bamboo, leading a distinctive visual trend in the late Ming that continued to influence modern Chinese art. This work witnessed the frequent communication among literati in Suzhou, Songjiang, and Hangzhou.
