Printmaking
Magpie
by Xu Beihong · Yixing, Jiangsu$999
$1,299
In stock
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The Story
This work, also known as Four Magpies in Spring, is one of Xu Beihong’s beloved flower-and-bird paintings, created in 1942. Xu, a master of blending Western realism with Eastern ink art, often painted magpies to celebrate hope and happiness. Magpies are traditional symbols of good fortune in Chinese culture, and four magpies represent “fourfold happiness,” a classic auspicious theme. In this piece, he uses bold, simple strokes to render the magpies’ black-and-white plumage, and soft washes to depict the gnarled branches and autumn leaves. The composition balances movement and stillness, with the birds’ varied postures adding life to the scene. For Xu, this work was a celebration of life’s simple joys, a quiet wish for peace and prosperity during a turbulent time. He once said that magpies are nature’s messengers of good news, and he sought to capture that warmth in his art. Today, this painting remains a cherished example of his mastery, admired for its elegant brushwork and timeless symbolism.
Craft & Process
Combining traditional ink techniques with subtle realism, the work uses bold lines and soft washes. It aims to capture the magpies’ lively charm, symbolizing good fortune, joy, and auspiciousness in Chinese culture.
About the Artist
Xu Beihong
Yixing, Jiangsu
Xu Beihong (1895–1953): the painter who fused European academic realism with ink, and whose galloping horses became a national symbol of resilience.
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