Old number "L1136/80" is written in pencil on the backing paper. Listed in the Munthe catalog (p.80) as "Banana Under Snow," by Wang Wei, 17th century. The extant copies go back to Sü Wei (1521-93) and Shi T'ao. List seals as those of Sung Ying-min, and the inscription as: "Falling snow has withered the plantains / and the green leaves grow (thinly?). / How cold it must have been/ in painting the snow it falls on the paper like clouds / This picture is a good companion to study in the winter."

Inscription and signature

Falling snow has withered the banana palms, ascending yet still more spread out,
Chanting sutras among them, hastening X;
The snow waits for a while, white like clouds deep in the mountains,
A good companion for studying in the winter.

Seals: All illegible.

Signature of Sun Xinian?

Professor Kathleen M. Ryor, Carleton College

There is a block of calligraphy in the upper left corner of the image, which is accompanied by a small square red ink seal. A square red ink seal is also stamped in the lower right corner of the painting.

Black ink washed onto silk, mounted on dark indigo silk brocade with ebony end knobs.

Sumi ink drawing with color on silk, mounted scroll format, nearly square in shape, of a couple of banana trees and bamboo stalks in the snow.

This object has the following keywords:

• Bamboo
• Paintings
• Trees
• Winter

This object is a member of the following portfolios: