Bird on Lotus

A large pink lotus blooms at left, its petals shaded in red over pale paper, with a bud above and broad olive leaves below. On the right, a blue-winged bird with a white belly perches on a lotus seed pod beside a second leaf. Four lines of Chinese calligraphy run across the upper area.

Look closer: Four vertical lines of calligraphy with a small seal-like mark sit above the flower and leaves.

Artist

Unknown

Date

1700–1750

Medium

Multicolor woodblock print and embossing; ink and color on paper

Source

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Size

3400 × 2724 px

Credit (appreciated, not required for public-domain works): The Cleveland Museum of Art, Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund