Who painted Wind in Pines Among a Myriad Valleys?

Wind in Pines Among a Myriad Valleys was painted by Li Tang in 1124.

Where can I see Wind in Pines Among a Myriad Valleys?

Wind in Pines Among a Myriad Valleys is held by National Palace Museum.

What movement is Wind in Pines Among a Myriad Valleys?

Wind in Pines Among a Myriad Valleys is associated with Song dynasty landscape.

Can I buy a print of Wind in Pines Among a Myriad Valleys?

Museum-quality prints of Wind in Pines Among a Myriad Valleys are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Wind in Pines Among a Myriad Valleys

Li Tang , 1124

Wind in Pines Among a Myriad Valleys is an ink painting by the Song dynasty landscape artist Li Tang. It dates from 1124 and is held in the collection of the National Palace Museum.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1124, this silk painting titled “Wind in Pines Among a Myriad Valleys” is attributed to the Song‑period artist Li Tang. It presents a quiet mountainous scene populated by towering pines, winding streams, and a veil of clouds and mist that recede into distant valleys. The work is part of the collection of the National Palace Museum.

Subject & Meaning

The composition centers on a lofty range of peaks softened by drifting fog, suggesting both the grandeur of nature and its hidden depths. Pine trees, long symbols of endurance, rise from the foreground, while the gentle streams trace the valleys below, evoking a sense of harmonious balance between land and water.

Technique & Style

Executed on silk, the painting employs subtle gradations of ink to model light and shadow, creating a delicate chiaroscuro that gives volume to the trees and rocks. Fine brushwork renders the texture of pine needles, while broader washes suggest atmospheric perspective, allowing the clouds and mist to dissolve into the background.

History & Provenance

The piece has been preserved within the imperial collection that later formed the core of the National Palace Museum’s holdings. Its attribution to Li Tang rests on stylistic analysis and historical records linking the artist to court commissions during the early 12th century.

Context

Li Tang worked during a period when landscape painting sought to convey the spirit of the natural world rather than precise topography. This work reflects the Song dynasty’s aesthetic emphasis on subtlety, where mist and cloud serve both decorative and philosophical functions, inviting contemplation of the transient nature of the scene.