Quails and Sparrows in an Autumn Scene
秋景禽雀图
A flower-and-bird painting executed entirely in ink — no color — by Wang Yuan, who studied as a child under the great Yuan scholar-official Zhao Mengfu. Quails crouch beneath autumn millet while sparrows perch on the dry stalks above; every leaf, feather, and seed is rendered with academic precision.
Object Facts
- Period
- Yuan dynasty (1271–1368)
- Date
- 1347
- Artist
- Wang Yuan (王渊)
- Medium
- Hanging scroll; ink on paper
- Dimensions
- Painting: 114.3 × 56 cm
- Held by
- The Cleveland Museum of Art
Cleveland, USA - Accession
- 1997.91
Cleveland Museum of Art — John L. Severance Fund
Why it matters
Wang Yuan adapted the meticulous polychrome 'academic' style of the Song court bird-and-flower painters into pure monochrome ink — turning a courtly genre into a literati one. This 1347 painting is the earliest dated example of his mature style anywhere.
How it travelled
Recorded in Qing imperial collection seals before leaving the Forbidden City in the 20th century. Acquired by Cleveland in 1997 via the Severance Fund — among the most significant Chinese painting purchases of the 1990s.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I see Quails and Sparrows in an Autumn Scene?+
Quails and Sparrows in an Autumn Scene is held by the The Cleveland Museum of Art in Cleveland, USA. Accession number 1997.91. Online catalogue record: https://clevelandart.org/art/1997.91.
When was Quails and Sparrows in an Autumn Scene created?+
Quails and Sparrows in an Autumn Scene dates to 1347, during the Yuan dynasty (1271–1368).
Who made Quails and Sparrows in an Autumn Scene?+
Quails and Sparrows in an Autumn Scene is attributed to Wang Yuan (王渊). The work is a hanging scroll executed in hanging scroll; ink on paper.
How did Quails and Sparrows in an Autumn Scene end up at the Cleveland Museum?+
Recorded in Qing imperial collection seals before leaving the Forbidden City in the 20th century. Acquired by Cleveland in 1997 via the Severance Fund — among the most significant Chinese painting purchases of the 1990s.
Can I reuse the photograph of Quails and Sparrows in an Autumn Scene?+
Yes. The Cleveland Museum has released the image under Creative Commons Zero (CC0), so it is free for any use, commercial or non-commercial, with no attribution required (though attribution is appreciated).
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