The Huntington Acquires Rare Scroll Painted by Ming Dynasty Master Qiu Ying

SAN MARINO, Calif.—The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens announced today the acquisition of Zhou Dunyi Admiring Lotuses, a rare hanging scroll painted by Qiu Ying (ca. 1495–ca. 1552), one of the most celebrated Chinese artists of the 16th century. Qiu is regarded as one of the Four Masters of the Ming dynasty, along with Shen Zhou, Tang Yin, and Wen Zhengming. He worked primarily in Suzhou—a city to the west of Shanghai with storied gardens that inspired The Huntington’s renowned Chinese Garden—and became famous for his meticulous depictions of literary themes. The purchase of this work was made possible by June and Simon K.C. Li. June Li was the founding curator of The Huntington’s Chinese Garden until 2014, and Simon K.C. Li is a member of The Huntington’s Board of Trustees. Zhou Dunyi Admiring Lotuses will be on view Dec. 9, 2023, through March 4, 2024, in the Huntington Art Gallery.

Qiu’s works have always been highly valued, and generations of forgers have copied him. One of the few surviving authentic works by the artist, Zhou Dunyi Admiring Lotuses remains in exceptional condition for its age and bears Qiu’s signature and two seals. His use of the seal “Immortal of Shizhou 十洲㒨史” dates the painting to around the 1530s, during the middle of his career.

“We are deeply grateful to June and Simon for making possible this major acquisition of a rare and important work by Qiu Ying,” said Christina Nielsen, Hannah and Russel Kully Director of the Art Museum. “This work finds an ideal home here at The Huntington, and with it, we take a dramatic step forward in our commitment to inviting conversations and cross-curatorial connections among our diverse art, library, and botanical collections.”

Qiu’s scroll depicts the philosopher Zhou Dunyi (1017–1073) relaxing in a thatched pavilion, contemplating the lotuses in the surrounding pond. Behind him, a servant approaches with a cup of tea, and a table bears a group of books and an exquisite celadon vase, allusions to Zhou’s profession and taste. Trees shield the pavilion from the oppressive heat of summer; a waterfall cascades in the distant background. Nearby, a farmer in a rustic boat gathers water vegetables from the pond, humorously interrupting the otherwise elegant composition and contrasting with the philosopher’s leisure.

The work evokes Zhou’s beloved essay “On the Love for the Lotus” 愛蓮說, in which he wrote that a gentleperson should rise above the turbidity of society to follow a path of modesty, just as a lotus rises above muddy pond waters to blossom into purity. The essay inspired the name Love for the Lotus Pavilion 愛蓮榭 at The Huntington’s Chinese Garden, whose pavilion overlooks a pond that resembles the one in Qiu’s scroll.