WASHINGTON
Arthur M. Sackler Museum
Cultivating Virtue: Botanical Motifs and Symbols in East Asian Art
Inspired by the beauty and resilience of plants and flowers, East Asian poets and artists have imbued them with auspicious meaning, literary resonance, and moral overtones. For example, because they survive the harsh winter months, the pine, bamboo, and Chinese plum (Prunus mume) symbolize strength in the face of adversity and are referred to as the “Three Friends of Winter.” Flowers affiliated with the four seasons and twelve months are also pervasive themes. This gallery presents A selection of later East Asian paintings and ceramics that chart the inspiration and fascination of oriental flora and fauna.
UNTIL JUNE 1
www.harvardartmuseums.org
