Pure Objects 清品竹柄团扇 Possibly 1644 - 1912

Xie Tang painted “Pure Objects” on a fan, using ink and color on silk. The objects in the painting are arranged to show the refined taste of the literati, the intellectual elite of their time. Consider the role of objects in shaping identity, how gender and class distinctions were often reinforced through material culture. The arrangement of the objects, from the potted orchid to the stacks of books, offers a glimpse into the values and aspirations of a particular social group. What is more important: the objects themselves, or the way they are arranged and presented? How does the artist invite the viewer to contemplate the subtle nuances of culture and identity, encouraging us to reflect on our own relationship to the objects that surround us? This artwork serves as both a mirror reflecting societal values, and an intimate portrait of personal expression.