Collection Online
Rabbit and moon

Rabbit and moon
(月 兎)
(18th century)

Medium
ink, pigment and gold on paper

Measurements
36.0 × 65.0 cm (image and sheet)

Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Purchased, 1956

Gallery location
Not on display

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Artwork Details

Place/s of Execution
China

Inscription
inscribed in brush and ink (in Chinese characters) (in image) c.r.: 周之冕 冩
inscribed in red ink (in Chinese characters) (in image) c.r.: (seal of ZHOU Zhimian)
inscribed in red ink (in Chinese characters) (in image) l.l.: (unknown seal)

Accession Number
1706-D4

Department
Asian Art

This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of The Gordon Darling Foundation

Physical description
The painting is painted on a piece of paper with gold spots. At the centre of the painting is an adorable and chubby rabbit depicted with swift outlines and shadings to create three dimensional forms. The rabbit looks very alert and is surrounded by grass written in bluish brushstrokes and red flowers. Facing the rabbit in the upper right corner is part of a moon outlines with bluish ink. The combination of the rabbit and the moon reminds us of the legend of the rabbit pounding the pill of immortality in the moon.