Currently not on view
Three Longevities (Three Peaches),
1948–49?
Qi Baishi 齊白石, Chinese, 1863–1957
2016-37
As symbols of longevity, peaches often appear in paintings with other emblems of immortality, such as deer or cranes. Ancient fables include descriptions of special peaches from the paradise of the Queen Mother of the West that imparted immortality when eaten. There a peach banquet was held every six thousand years for the deities to ensure their everlasting existence. Qi Baishi was an influential Chinese painter, who was born into a peasant family and started work as a carpenter. He taught himself how to paint and is perhaps most noted for his whimsical, often playful style.
Information
Title
Three Longevities (Three Peaches)
Dates
1948–49?
Maker
Medium
Hanging scroll; ink and color on paper
Dimensions
Painting: 178.4 × 47.5 cm (70 1/4 × 18 11/16 in.)
Mount: 254.5 × 69.5 cm (100 3/16 × 27 3/8 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Margaret W. Sullivan and Daniel P. Sullivan, Class of 1951
Object Number
2016-37
Place Made
Asia, China
Inscription
Inscribed upper left: 三壽圖
(Three longevities)
Inscribed left: 八十六嵗三百石印富翁齊璜百石老人時客京華第卅又一年矣
(at age 86, the Rich Man of 300 Stone Seals, the old man Qi Huang Baishi, while a guest at the capital in the 31st year)
Marks/Labels/Seals
Artist, Bai shi, 百石, square intaglio at lower left
Artist, Zeng wu, 甑屋, square relief at lower right
Culture
Materials
Techniques
Subject
–2003 Chongqing Art Institute, sold to Margaret Sullivan and Dan P. Sullivan, 2003.
2003–2016 Margaret Sullivan and Daniel P. Sullivan (Falls Church, VA), by gift to the Princeton University Art Museum, 2016.
2003–2016 Margaret Sullivan and Daniel P. Sullivan (Falls Church, VA), by gift to the Princeton University Art Museum, 2016.
