Narcissus

Art Historical Context

In the refined world of Southern Song dynasty (11271279) art, this exquisite painting of *Narcissus*, created by an unknown artist in the 13th century, captures the era's poetic elegance. Originally a fan leaf remounted as an album page, it measures a intimate 9 3/8 x 9 3/5 inches (23.8 x 24.4 cm) and is rendered in ink and color on silk—a luxurious medium prized for its smooth surface that allowed delicate washes and precise lines. Acquired through the John Stewart Kennedy Fund 1913, it resides in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Asian Art collection. Southern Song paintings often emphasized...