Gathering Pussy Willows

Reverend Isaac Taylor Headland (1859-1942) was an American missionary and accomplished scholar who went to Beijing in 1880 and served as a professor at Peking University. Reverend Headland was also instrumental in obtaining books on foreign topics, especially technology, for Emperor Guangxu (1871-1908). His wife, Dr. Miriam Sinclair Headland (1859-1953) served as head of the Presbyterian Women’s Hospital and then as professor of hygiene at Peking University. She served as physician to the mother and sister of Empress Dowager Cixi. Reverend Headland’s interest in Chinese culture led him to assemble a large collection of Chinese paintings and works of art. Regarding his paintings, in addition to works from the Empress Dowager herself, Reverend Headland collected classical works from earlier times and paintings made by contemporary artists living in the capital.

As noted by the artist in the inscription, the present work draws inspiration from a poem by the Southern Song poet Yang Wanli (1127-1206) titled Awaking from a Nap in Early Summer. The poem describes a scholar waking up from a summer afternoon doze heavy with languor. Here, Leng Mei depicts the protagonist sitting in the garden under lush plantain leaves, idly watching the children chasing pussy willow flowers.