Birds on Plum Branches

A yellow-and-rust bird perches on a blue-gray plum branch, its beak angled downward, while a second rust-breasted bird opens its beak toward the sky at right. Pale plum blossoms, a peony bloom and fallen leaves fill the lower half. The woodblock print is colored by hand in soft ochre, red and green tones.

Look closer: Two lines of Chinese inscription and seal-like marks in the upper right corner.

Artist

Unknown

Date

1700–1750

Medium

Multicolor woodblock print; ink and color on paper

Source

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Size

2642 × 3400 px

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