One Hundred Children at Play

The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs One Hundred Children at Play as painting (China, Southern Song dynasty (1127-1279) · 1100s–1200s).

WHY IT’S INTERESTING

Following a baby’s birth, ceremonies and festivities traditionally marked the baby’s successive attainment of thirty days, one hundred days, and one year in age. “One hundred children” paintings such as this album leaf would have been suitable for presentation on either of the latter occasions.

SERENDIPITYA little unexpected

FamiliarWeird

A CLOSER LOOK

The museum identifies this painting as Album leaf; ink and color on silk and credits Su Hanchen (Chinese, active c. 1101–1125).

The museum's collection notes: Paintings on the “one hundred children” theme usually have numerous, if not exactly 100, children. A majority of the children here imitate the dress, manners, and activities of the adult world. Whatever the exact significance of the subject, the painter of this album leaf clearly intended it to be savored figure by figure. With seemingly inexhaustible invention, the artist characterized each performer in the colorful pageant with unique accoutrements and action. The avoidance of overlapping allows each figure to be seen in clear detail, while all the figures are organized into a coherent composition. Garden settings with decorative rocks, blo

FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE

The Cleveland Museum of ArtOne Hundred Children at Play

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