Narcissus
Ming dynasty (1368–1644), 16th century
Medium
Folding fan mounted as an album leaf; ink on gold paper
Dimensions
Upper: W.: 48 cm (18 7/8 in.); Lower: W.: 22 cm (8 5/8 in.); Rib: H.: 15.6 cm (6 1/8 in.)
Classification
album leaf
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
43173
Art Historical Context
Behold the delicate beauty of *Narcus*, a 16th-century ink painting by Wang Gux from China's Ming dynasty (13681644). Originally a folding fan, this artwork has been elegantly mounted as an album leaf shimmering gold paper, measuring about 48 cm wide in its upper section. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's of Asia department, it exemplifies the refined artistry of the era, where everyday objects like fans doubled as portable masterpieces. Wang Guxiang a skilled Ming painter, captures the narcissus flower—a symbol of purity and renewal in Chinese culture—with masterful ink techniques. Th...