Search

A concrete cantilevered building against blue sky and green landscaping

A large green wall with oil paintings in gold frames above a tiled floor

A museum interior space with paintings and concrete walls and stairs

A concrete-walled lobby with windows, a tiled floor, and a circular desk

The top of a concrete spiral staircase with a wooden railing

A tall tree is the focal point of a garden in between two concrete buildings

About arrow_back

Admission for everyone is always free! Check here for current hours and more.

A concrete cantilevered building against blue sky and green landscaping

Collections arrow_back

The Johnson Museum holds more than 40,000 works in its collection from around the world.

A large green wall with oil paintings in gold frames above a tiled floor

Exhibitions arrow_back

Check out what’s on view this season at the Museum and look back through our history.

A museum interior space with paintings and concrete walls and stairs

Events arrow_back

Free events for everyone, plus special programs for students, families, and more!

A concrete-walled lobby with windows, a tiled floor, and a circular desk

Learn arrow_back

The Johnson Museum actively contributes to the intellectual life of our campus and community.

The top of a concrete spiral staircase with a wooden railing

Support arrow_back

Help the Johnson Museum continue its legacy by making a gift today.

A tall tree is the focal point of a garden in between two concrete buildings

Zhou Hu, Zhou Xi

(Chinese, active late 17th century)

Birds, Crabapple, Magnolia, Pinks and Rock

View All Works

Object Details

Artist

Zhou Hu, Zhou Xi

Date

1642

Medium

Hanging scroll: ink and colors on satin

Dimensions

38 3/4 x 20 3/4 inches (98.4 x 52.7 cm)

Credit Line

George and Mary Rockwell Collection

Object
Number

88.002.192

In traditional China, most women artists were either courtesans who entertained members of the schol(…)

In traditional China, most women artists were either courtesans who entertained members of the scholar-official class, or were daughters of scholar-official families who practiced their art as amateurs. Zhou Xi and Zhou Hu exemplify the latter; daughters of the literati painter Zhou Rongqi, they were also students of Wen Shu, one of China’s foremost female literati painters. The Zhou sisters often worked collaboratively, as they did on this painting.In addition to presenting intimate views of nature, bird-and-flower paintings also convey auspicious meanings. The two birds symbolize marital happiness. Crabapple (haitang) and magnolia (yulan) together form a rebus for Jade Hall, connoting wishes for wealth and honor. Flowers are also equated with aspects of feminine beauty: the white magnolia represents purity, and pinks (shizhu) are admired for their fragrance and long flowering season.

Discover More

At Brighton

Joseph Mallord William Turner

Villa d’Este, Tivoli

Isaac de Moucheron

Landscape

Gyokusho, Minoda

Create an account

Please take a moment to fill your information to create your account.

Reset Password

Lost your password? Please enter your email address. You will receive mail with link to set new password.

Save Artwork

Save the artwork in any of your exhibitions or create a new one.

You have not made any exhibitions.

Create New Exhibition

Create New Exhibition