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A pair of phoenix in a landscape of rocks and flowers

A pair of phoenix in a landscape of rocks and flowers
(鳳 凰 蝴 蝶 牡 丹)
 (19th century)

Medium
ink and pigments on paper
Measurements
104.0 × 27.0 cm (image)
Place/s of Execution
China
Accession Number
1014B-D4
Department
Asian Art
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Felton Bequest, 1947
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of The Gordon Darling Foundation
Gallery location
Not on display
Physical description
The painting is long and narrow. At the bottom, a pair of beautiful phoenix is perched on a rock. They look alive and animated and appear to communicate with each other. Next to them is a rock jutting upwards. At the top of the painting is a butterfly flying down to a cluster of red peonies. Further down is another butterfly perched on a group of white peonies next to the jutting rock. The painting is beautiful and exquisite. The images are auspicious in meaning. The pair of phoenix is auspicious and symbolize the empress. The Peony is the flower of spring, regarded as the 'king of flowers', which symbolize wealth, good fortune and happiness. The butterfly symbolized 'long life' as it is pronounced die 蝶and similar to the pronunciation die 耋 meaning 'eighty years old'. It is also auspicious to present people, animals, insects, and things in pairs, especially when we are giving presents. This painting is one of a pair or could also be in a set of four (seasons).