Album leaf
Can I see it?
Not on view at present
Where is “Album leaf” now? Collection: Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis. Not on view at present. Checked September 29, 2026.
Minneapolis, United States
It belongs to the collection, but is not on display at present.
- Checked
- In this state since
- Source
- The museum
About the painting
Qian Hui’an was celebrated for transforming familiar stories into vivid, accessible images. This unusual scene is generally understood as an interpretation of the ancient myth of Fuxi and Nüwa, the legendary creators of humankind. Dressed in garments of leaves and animal skins, the couple lift the lid of a large cauldron from which two infant boys emerge unharmed amid rising flames. Daoist symbols, including the Eight Trigrams on the vessel, reinforce the mythological setting. Yet the scene is rendered with the tenderness of everyday family life rather than heroic grandeur. By merging mythology with domestic affection, Qian presents creation not as a distant cosmic event but as an intimate celebration of birth, family, and the traditional wish for healthy sons.
Minneapolis Institute of Art
Details
- Accession number
- 2013.13.2
In the catalog
Sources
- Minneapolis Institute of Art
- Image: Minneapolis Institute of Art — public domain
