Maples in the Mist: Chinese Poems for Children Illustrated by Jean & Mou-sien Tseng

Inspired by fourteen of the most celebrated poets of the China’s Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907), Jean and Mou-sien Tseng created vibrant illustrations to enchant children—and the young at heart—for their picture book, Maples in the Mist (1996). Selected from the Zimmerli’s collection of original artwork for children’s books, twenty-two original watercolors by the Tsengs present aspects of China’s traditional customs and the splendor of its countryside. The Tang poems, which encouraged centuries of Chinese children as they learned to read, were translated into English by Minfong Ho.

Born in Taiwan, Jean and Mou-sien Tseng met while studying art at the National Taiwan Normal University in Taipei. After graduating, they married and embarked on careers that included teaching and design. Since they immigrated to the U. S. in 1974, the couple has illustrated more than 30 children’s books. The Tsengs are longtime residents of Long Island, New York.

The exhibition is open to the public on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, as well as during the first Wednesday evenings of the month. 

Organized by Marilyn Symmes, Director of the Morse Research Center for Graphic Arts and Curator of Prints and Drawings with Beth McKeown, former Assistant Curator of Prints and Drawings