Various Scenes from the Pa Te Yuan Garden (Rock Plateau)

Artist Chang Dai-chien Zhang Daqian; Chinese, 1899 - 1983

Date1965

MaterialsInk and colors on paper

Dimensions9 1/2 × 10 5/8 in (24.1 cm × 27 cm)

Credit LineGift of William Ing in memory of his wife Wilma Sing Shen Chang Ing, daughter of Chang Dai-chien

Object number2021.69.1

DepartmentChinese Art

ClassificationsPainting

On View

Not on view

Signed“張爰之印”（朱文方印）。 Zhang Yuan zhi yin (square relief).

Inscribed“臥雲石。爰翁。” Rock Amid Clouds, old man Yuan.

Text Entries

Object Label

In 1954, Chang Dai-chien moved with his extended family from Argentina to Brazil. There he built a large garden with five pavilions, sculpted with rocks, bamboo groves, and water features, that he called Pa Te Yuan (Garden of Eight Virtues). These eight virtues are associated with Confucian personal training. By naming his garden after these virtues, Chang offered his family a reminder of the personal code he wanted them to follow.

Chang’s family members often recall their secluded years together in Brazil as intimate and idyllic. This suite of album leaves depicts scenes drawn from remembered garden vistas, including Ducklings by the Lake, Hilltops, Lakeshore, Fish Pond, and Rock Plateau. They are closer to simple nature studies than to the grand compositions of some of Chang’s work from this period.