concept

Plum (Prunus species): fruiting branch with sectioned fruit. Coloured aquatint by P. Fumagalli after D. Del Pino, 1822.

Plum (Prunus species): fruiting branch with sectioned fruit. Coloured stipple engraving by T. Nasi, c. 1817, after D. Del Pino.

A stone fruit tree, possibly a plum (Prunus species): fruiting branch and seed. Watercolour.

Plums / Janet Bond.

The Ickworth Imperatrice plum (Prunus domestica cv.): fruiting branch. Coloured etching by G. Barclay, c. 1842, after S. Drake.

Five plums (Prunus domestica) in a bed of leaves. Chromolithograph, c. 1877, after W. H. Fitch.

Two plums (Prunus cultivars): fruit and flowers. Coloured aquatint, c. 1839.

A woman selling plums: she carries the plums in a basket on her back, and is accompanied by a child. Etching by J. Duplessi-Bertaux.

1 print : stipple engraving, printed in colour

<p>The title is derived from Mao’s famous poem 'Praise plum blossom': "By the time mountain flowers are in full bloom, she is smiling among them!" The "she" referred to by Mao is the plum tree, as it alone blossoms in the cold of winter and forecasts the spring. When spring actually arrives, and all other flowers blossom and flourish, the plum does not compare its blossom with theirs, but only quietly smiles among the flowers and enjoys the happiness of others. Premier Zhou Enlai is glorified as a high-minded leader. In this painting, produced immediately after Zhou's death, he is metaphorically compared to the plum blossom. He devoted himself wholly to the people’s revolutionary career. But when the revolution is successful, the homeland is prosperous and the people are well off, he feels happiest and smiles with gratification</p>

1 print : lithograph ; sheet 52.8 x 38.3 cm

China during the Cultural Revolution: Zhou Enlai stands amidst plum blossoms, comparing him to the blossom of the plum tree. Colour lithograph, 1977, after Zeng Shanqing.

A plant, possibly a Prunus species: two fruiting stems and a dissected fruit. Watercolour.

1 print : etching with stipple and aquatint, with watercolour and gold

Galleries and Reading Room

Library

Shop

Café

We’re undertaking research with website visitors to find out some more about you and what you thought about your visit. This survey will take less than 10 minutes to complete. Thank you for your time!

Wellcome uses cookies.

Plum

Images

Catalogue

Plum (Prunus species): fruiting branch with sectioned fruit. Coloured stipple engraving by T. Nasi, c. 1817, after D. Del Pino.

A stone fruit tree, possibly a plum (Prunus species): fruiting branch and seed. Watercolour.

China during the Cultural Revolution: Zhou Enlai stands amidst plum blossoms, comparing him to the blossom of the plum tree. Colour lithograph, 1977, after Zeng Shanqing.

A plant, possibly a Prunus species: two fruiting stems and a dissected fruit. Watercolour.

The Ickworth Imperatrice plum (Prunus domestica cv.): fruiting branch. Coloured etching by G. Barclay, c. 1842, after S. Drake.

Wellcome uses cookies.

Plum

Images

Catalogue

Plum (Prunus species): fruiting branch with sectioned fruit. Coloured stipple engraving by T. Nasi, c. 1817, after D. Del Pino.

A stone fruit tree, possibly a plum (Prunus species): fruiting branch and seed. Watercolour.

China during the Cultural Revolution: Zhou Enlai stands amidst plum blossoms, comparing him to the blossom of the plum tree. Colour lithograph, 1977, after Zeng Shanqing.

A plant, possibly a Prunus species: two fruiting stems and a dissected fruit. Watercolour.

The Ickworth Imperatrice plum (Prunus domestica cv.): fruiting branch. Coloured etching by G. Barclay, c. 1842, after S. Drake.

Wellcome Collection

Today’s opening times