宋
軸 絹本設色
Sung dynasty
Hanging scroll, ink and colors on silk 193.7cm (H) x 103.4cm (W)
山喜鵲性機靈，喜羣聚，共同衛護領域。本幅描繪兩隻山喜鵲，一隻騰空飛來助陣，一隻據枝俯向鳴叫，向闖入的野兔張翅示威，野兔則佇足回首張望。山喜鵲和野兔動態相互呼應，樹木的枝葉、竹、草受風而傾俯，結合弧型走向的構圖，更添活潑生動。畫中情境，並不可見於籠檻中，而為畫家偶然在郊野目睹，及後以精練的技法憶寫，再參考平日畫稿，始能完成工謹詳實的作品。
The magpie is known for its ingenuity, gregarious nature, and tenacious protection of its territory from intruders. This painting depicts two magpies, one in the upper right corner about to land on a branch to assist the other, who is perched there bending down and spreading its wings in a display against the intrusive hare. Drawing an imaginary line from the upper magpie, through the tree, and down to the foreground, one would form an “S” shape, which not only integrates the composition but also gives it balance and ow. This scene is not something easily imagined in a studio or at home. The artist must have had years of artistic training and experience in the wilds to capture this naturalistic scene. Ts’ui Po, with his great artistic skill and keen observation, has taken the essence of this event and translated it onto a masterpiece of ne-line painting.
