Who painted 清傳高鳳翰書畫合璧冊|Landscapes and Calligraphy?

清傳高鳳翰書畫合璧冊|Landscapes and Calligraphy was painted by Gao Fenghan in dated 1736.

Where can I see 清傳高鳳翰書畫合璧冊|Landscapes and Calligraphy?

清傳高鳳翰書畫合璧冊|Landscapes and Calligraphy is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is 清傳高鳳翰書畫合璧冊|Landscapes and Calligraphy?

清傳高鳳翰書畫合璧冊|Landscapes and Calligraphy is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

清傳高鳳翰書畫合璧冊|Landscapes and Calligraphy

Gao Fenghan , 1736

清傳高鳳翰書畫合璧冊|Landscapes and Calligraphy is an ink painting by the Baroque artist Gao Fenghan. It dates from 1736 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Created in 1736, this album comprises six pages of ink and color on paper, featuring landscapes paired with calligraphy.

Accession no.: 1981.285.8a–f
Credit line: Edward Elliott Family Collection, Purchase, The Dillon Fund Gift, 1981

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The visual subject matter consists of traditional Chinese landscapes rendered in ink and color on paper, arranged as an album of six distinct leaves.

The album, created in 1736 by Gao Fenghan, presents a synthesis of landscape painting and calligraphy. The visual subject matter consists of traditional Chinese landscapes rendered in ink and color on paper, arranged as an album of six distinct leaves. Beyond the scenic depiction, the work's iconography is defined by the explicit inclusion of calligraphic text within the composition, establishing a dialogue between the pictorial and the written word.

This combination reflects the scholarly ideal of the literati artist, where painting and writing are viewed as complementary expressions of culture and personal cultivation. The pairing of these two art forms within a single album format signifies the integration of visual scenery and literary thought, a hallmark of the Qing dynasty's artistic tradition.

History & Provenance

The album of six landscapes and calligraphy pages, attributed to Gao Fenghan, was created in 1736 during the Qing dynasty. Executed in ink and color on paper, the work originates from China and measures 31.8 cm in height by 24.8 cm in width. While the specific commissioning patron or the immediate chain of ownership prior to modern times is not detailed in the available records, the work is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The dating to 1736 establishes its place within the artist's mature period, reflecting the stylistic characteristics of his landscape and calligraphic output from that era.

Overview

Created in 1736, this album comprises six pages of ink and color on paper, featuring landscapes paired with calligraphy. The work was executed by Gao Fenghan at age 64, following the paralysis of his right hand. Forced to adapt, the artist taught himself to paint and write with his left hand, a physical constraint that fundamentally altered his technique.

The resulting brushwork is characterized by a looser, freer quality compared to his earlier right-handed output, often displaying a rugged spontaneity. Each page presents a distinct landscape composition, depicting mountains, trees, and rivers, integrated with calligraphic inscriptions. This album stands as a significant testament to Gao's resilience and artistic evolution during his late period.

It exemplifies the Qing dynasty literati tradition of combining painting and poetry, while simultaneously marking a unique stylistic shift driven by physical necessity. The work is historically notable for demonstrating how disability influenced the aesthetic of the artist's final years, contributing to his reputation as a master of the 'left-handed' style.

Technique & Style

Gao Fenghan created this album at the age of 64, following the paralysis of his right hand. Adapting to this challenge, he developed a new approach, teaching himself to paint with his left hand. This change in technique resulted in a distinct aesthetic, characterized by a noticeably looser and freer quality in his brushwork. The ink and color on paper medium further accentuates the fluidity and spontaneity of these compositions.