Gifts for Army Recruits, Forbidden City, Beijing, China

1948

Henri Cartier-Bresson

Associated Names
Henri Cartier-Bresson

Artist, French, 1908 - 2004

The sculpture is of a traditional Chinese guardian lion, often known as a "foo dog" or "shishi" in Chinese culture. Made of metal, likely bronze, it has a dark, weathered appearance with a patina suggesting age. The lion is seated on its haunches, with a fierce expression and intricately carved curls in its mane. Its mouth is open, showing its teeth, emphasizing its imposing presence. The sculpture is placed on a decorated pedestal with elaborate carvings, typical of East Asian design. It appears large and impressive next to people nearby and is set against a backdrop of traditional Chinese architecture.
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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    gelatin silver print

  • Credit Line

    Gift of Gary Davis

  • Dimensions

    image: 24.2 × 16 cm (9 1/2 × 6 5/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2012.118.30

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

(Howard Greenberg Gallery, New York); Gary Davis, Greenwich, CT, purchased 2002; gift to NGA, 2012.

Associated Names

Inscriptions

on verso, stamped, upper left in black ink with blue pencil underlining: PEIPING ESSAY 48; by unknown hand, upper center in graphite: Presents for the recruits - / in Forbidden City; center in graphite: 76 / 285 /33; stamped, perpendicular, lower right in black ink: LIFE PHOTO / BY / Bresson [artist's name in graphite]; stamped, perpendicular, lower right in black ink: DEC 22 1948; lower left in blue pencil: x CHINESE CULTURE; stamped, lower center in blue ink: 28316-A [letter in blue pencil]; lower right in graphite: PF49162 (GD-TL-241) GDC-185

Wikidata ID

Q64154989

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