Who painted Summer Mountains (after Dong Yuan [active c. 937–75])?

Summer Mountains (after Dong Yuan [active c. 937–75]) was painted by Huang Gongwang in 1322.

Where can I see Summer Mountains (after Dong Yuan [active c. 937–75])?

Summer Mountains (after Dong Yuan [active c. 937–75]) is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Summer Mountains (after Dong Yuan [active c. 937–75])?

Summer Mountains (after Dong Yuan [active c. 937–75]) is associated with Yuan dynasty literati painting.

Artwork

Summer Mountains (after Dong Yuan [active c. 937–75])

Huang Gongwang , 1322

Summer Mountains (after Dong Yuan [active c. 937–75]) is an unspecified painting by the Yuan dynasty literati painting artist Huang Gongwang. It dates from 1322 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Accession no.: 1992.1
Credit line: Cornelia Blakemore Warner Bequest, by exchange, and Mr. and Mrs. William H. Marlatt Fund

About this work

You see a long scroll of misty blue mountains, soft trees, and tiny houses tucked into valleys.

You see a long scroll of misty blue mountains, soft trees, and tiny houses tucked into valleys.

Huang Gongwang built the scene in layers, light ink first, then darker lines on top. This way, the mountains feel deep, like you could walk into them. The artist wrote down his method, so we know exactly how he did it.

To see more quiet Chinese landscapes like this, look up china, yuan dynasty (1271-1368).

Overview

Summer Mountains is a monumental landscape painting executed in a scroll format, characterized by soft, rounded forms and a serene atmosphere.

Technique & Style

The painting is built up in layers, with lighter ink washes underlying darker lines, creating a sense of depth and dimensionality. This technique is consistent with the artist's written instructions on using gradual ink build-up to distinguish between different elements.

Subject & Meaning

The scene depicts a misty landscape of mountains, trees, and small houses in valleys, evoking a sense of tranquility and inviting the viewer to immerse themselves in the environment.

Context

The work is inspired by the style of Dong Yuan, an earlier Chinese painter, and is representative of the Yuan dynasty's landscape painting tradition.

Artist & collection

Artist

Huang Gongwang

Huang Gongwang (born 1269, Changshu, Jiangsu province, China, died 1354), birth name Lu Jian (Chinese: 陸堅; pinyin: Lù Jiān), was a Chinese painter, poet and writer born at the end of the Song dynasty in Changshu, Jiangsu.