Hanging Scroll of ‘Six Gentlemen’

Object Identificaton

  • Object name: Hanging scroll of ‘Six Gentlemen’
  • Date: Original, 1345. Image used is a copy from 1990s
  • Origin: Chinese
  • Measurements: 51.5″ x 13″
  • Materials: Xuan paper, silk

Object Summary

The print is a copy of Ni Zan’s “Six Gentlemen”, originally painted in 1345. This print depicts six different types of trees: a pine tree, cypress, camphor tree, Phoebe zhennan, locust tree and elm. All of which are painted to act as a metaphor of the integrity of a gentleman. The piece drives the message of pursuing simplicity, serenity and indifference, qualities in which he, Ni Zan, believed while following the Quanzhen School of Taoism. 

The print is mounted in a hanging scroll format, reflecting East Asian cultural displays of art.

This object was conserved by Jennifer Mak. Find out more about her by clicking on the profile below!

Jennifer Mak