He Lishan (Jim Hardesty)
(American, 1945–2021)
Three Friends of Spring (Chun Shi San You Tu)
Object Details
Artist
He Lishan (Jim Hardesty)
Date
2001
Medium
Hanging scroll: ink on paper
Dimensions
53 9/16 x 18 1/2 inches (136 x 47 cm)
Credit Line
Acquired through the George and Mary Rockwell Fund
Object
Number
2001.029.002
Local artist Jim Hardesty studied Chinese language, literature and art history at Princeton Universi(…)
Local artist Jim Hardesty studied Chinese language, literature and art history at Princeton University. He later lived in Taiwan, where he studied painting, calligraphy and seal carving under Wang Beiyue. Bamboo represents spring and orchid is a symbol of warmth. Together with rock, these Three Friends of Spring are also emblems of the virtuous gentleman. Bamboo is associated with resilience, because of its ability to bend in the wind without breaking, and its hollow stems stand for humility. Rocks represent endurance and the fragrant orchids that grow among them signify refinement.
