Chinese
Hibiscus and Ducks, about 1500
Ink and color pigment on silk; mounted as a hanging scroll, 218.5 x 70.5 cm (86 x 27 3/4 in.)
This painting in ink and color on silk is mounted as a hanging scroll. The painting depicts tall flower stems with large, round blooms and two ducks in shades of tan and white. In an otherwise monotone tan background, groups of four white clusters of flowers stand out, rising on barely visible green stems with darker green leaves. In the bottom third of the scroll, two gray, tan, and white ducks are seen along a low, rocky bank. The painting is mounted on silk with a brown background and yellow hourglass shapes alternating with round latticework decoration.
Third Floor Passage
Commentary
This painting depicts a pair of Mallard ducks swimming below hibiscus (also known as "cotton rose") blossoms. This painting is likely by a Chinese painter, but it is mounted as a hanging scroll in the Japanese style. Isabella Stewart Gardner collected East Asian paintings, including hanging scrolls and folding screens, and several of these works are displayed near the museum stairways and elevator.