Peacock, Hen and Peonies

Peacock, Hen and Peonies

A peacock and hen stand on a rocky crag with pink and white Chinese peonies. This composition unites several symbols for royalty, culture, and ceremony. The peacock was associated with high culture and Chinese-ness. Peonies were associated also with Chinese-ness and the emperor. This unification, in addition to the empty background, make the regality of the composition the main focus of the painting. Interestingly, the female peacock closely resembles the male. She is brightly colored, like the males of her species, though scientifically, she should be a mousy brown. Maruyama may have made this formal descition to further emphasize the regality and loftiness of the composition. This hanging scroll is included for use in the Phoenix Composed Exhibition.

Maruyama Ōkyo, 円山 応挙, or 圓山 應舉

Imperial Palace Collection, St. Lousi Art Museum, Seattle Art Museum

St. Louis Art Museum

1776

Stern, Harold P. Birds, Beasts, Blossoms, and Bugs: The Nature of Japan. New York: H. N. Abrams, 1976. Print.

public domain

Japanese