Detail View: National Palace English: Sweeping the Elephant

Work ID: 
M01E00244
Title: 
Sweeping the Elephant
Creation Date: 
Ming Dynasty
Start Year Date: 
A.D.1368
End Year Date: 
A.D.1644
Dynasty: 
45 Ming Dynasty (A.D. 1368~1644)
Creator: 
Ding Yun-peng
Creation Place: 
China
Measurements: 
140.8 x 46.6 cm
Material: 
Ink and color on paper
Form: 
Li-zhou (hanging scroll)
Type: 
Painting
Subject: 
Animals
Repository: 
The National Palace Museum, Taipei
Description: 
A curving stream winds and turns before flowing down. Two servants wield brooms sweeping the elephant, while another grasps a cloth ready to wipe. To its side, a reclining bodhisattva watches. The celestial spirits from all around and lohans circle around. This painting's composition is extremely long, the brushwork is detailed and fine, the application of color moist and refined, as Ding uses pale green layers to color the rocks, setting off their shapes and the play of light across their surfaces. The lines for rendering figures are like floating clouds and flowing water, every brushline full of vigor. Whiskers and hairs, every thread so finely rendered. Whether long or short, lines are made with a centered brush. This kind of brush technique takes Li Gonglin's baimiao (ink outline) technique as its basis. Yet, Ding has added the step of applying color, marking a new territory of colored baimiao painting.
ImageV ID: 
M01E00244AS001
Rights: 
Lee & Lee Communications