Partridge and Sparrows among Briars, a Song Dynasty(960.1279) painting by Huang Jucai, ink and color on silk, 97cm×53.6cm, in the collection of the Palace Museum, Taipei.
Huang Jucai(933.?), a Song Dynasty painter, learned the art from his family and did well in landscape, figure painting, and particularly in flower-and-bird painting. His style had far-reaching impacts on flower-and-bird painting in the early period of the Northern Song Dynasty.
Huang painted many works, but only Partridge and Sparrows among Briars is handed down. In the painting, several birds jump at tree branches, some flit to and fro, and a beautiful partridge bends down for a drink at waterside. Several fallen leaves on the rock, dry branches and red leaves indicate that it is already late autumn. It has a rational composition and neat strokes. The rock and bamboo seem natural, while sparrows and partridge bring funs.