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Iconographic Meaning

This scroll depicts three symbols of longevity: peaches of immortality (xiantao仙桃 or pantao 蟠桃). Immortals consume these peaches and they confer longevity to those who eat them; Lingzhi-mushroom (lingzhi 靈芝) symbolizes longevity and pine (song 松) as an evergreen also can symbolize longevity. Pine can have other meanings as well, and is often used to represent the integrity of a scholar.

Description

A hanging scroll painting of pines, mushrooms and peach branches with fruit in polychrome. Two vertical lines of black ink calligraphy at the right side, with a small red seal. There is a large red seal at the centre top. The painting has a cream-coloured border of patterned fabric. There is a semi-cylindrical rod at the top with a yellow cord bound by metal wire and cream-coloured fabric. There is a brown wood cylindrical rod weight at the bottom.

Narrative

The large red seal at the top belongs to Empress Dowager Cixi 慈禧太后 (1835–1908): 慈禧皇太后之寶 (Treasure of Empress Dowager Cixi). The vertical inscription is by Lu Baozhong (陳寶忠): 參天老幹倚雲栽 海上金桃獻壽來 瑞蔭 / 芝田佳氣滿 蓬山高需畫圖開 / 臣 陸寶忠敬題. Translation: Joining heaven, old tree trunks (referring to retired officials?) are leaning on clouds as walls, Golden peaches on the ocean, an offering of longevity arrives (or: is about to arrive). Auspicious shades (or: auspicious Yin-force) and fields of lingzhi (mushroom of immortality) are filled with the finest vital energy, High and soft is Mount Peng (i.e. Penglai, island of the immortals in the Eastern Sea) in the painting that (is yet to) be opened. Servitor Lu Baozhong inscribed this respectfully. A small, square relief seal: 敬書 (“respectfully written”). On the outer label: 陳寶忠三多圖 綃本 (Lu Baozhong, The Three Many, on silk). The painting might be attributed to the empress and was likely produced at the Qing court, commissioned by her and possibly done by a female court painter or the Empress herself? The seal is consistent with seals used by Cixi, but its authenticity cannot be verified. Some of her paintings have an inscription of yubi (御筆, the Imperial brush) and often with a date, but this painting does not. Lu Baozhong (陳寶忠) (1850-1908), from Jiangsu province was a Chinese official and educator. He received his jinshi (進士) degree, the highest degree in the Chinese imperial examinations in 1876 and held several posts at the imperial court in Beijing and elsewhere. He was known for his calligraphy. The title on the outer label, “The Three Many” only appears on the outside, which was likely added later, possibly by the person who sold the scroll. It is different from the content of the painting, which has the pine, lingzhi, and peaches. The three abundances (the 'three many') are happiness (福), longevity (壽), and sons (男子), usually symbolized by pomegranate (shiliu 石榴) standing for progeny, citron (foshou 佛手=Buddha's Hand) for happiness and longevity, and peach (tao 桃) for longevity.

History Of Use

Around seven hundred paintings dated between 1888 and 1908 under the name of Empress Dowager Cixi (慈禧太后) (1835–1908) are in the collection of the Palace Museum, Beijing, and many more exist internationally. These paintings were produced as imperial gifts and the subjects of paintings are either flowers or auspicious symbols such as those depicted in this painting. Most of these paintings under her name were created by court artists, though some are signed with yubi (御筆) or the imperial brush. If her signature, usually with a date, is present, it is likely to have be done by the Empress herself.