Scholar's Rock or Brushrest
Qing dynasty (1644–1911), 18th century
Medium
Stone (probably Lingbi stone)
Dimensions
21 × 27.5 cm (8 1/4 × 10 7/8 in.)
Classification
asian art
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
223142
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Resting upon a dark, varnished wooden base, this rugged and craggy rock with numerous holes and crevices was likely displayed in a scholar’s studio during the Qing Dynasty, possibly serving as a brush stand. Its saturated black color, juxtaposed with the light-brown texturing, gives the rock a moist and glossy appearance. This surface quality hints at the rock’s potential origin in Lingbi, Anhui province – the renowned source of the finest scholar’s rocks. Sometimes, the found rocks were carved ...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...