Who painted Man, Buffalo, and Calf?

Man, Buffalo, and Calf was painted by Li You in 1145-01-01.

Where can I see Man, Buffalo, and Calf?

Man, Buffalo, and Calf is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Man, Buffalo, and Calf?

Man, Buffalo, and Calf is associated with Song dynasty painting.

Can I buy a print of Man, Buffalo, and Calf?

Museum-quality prints of Man, Buffalo, and Calf are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Man, Buffalo, and Calf

Li You , 1145

Man, Buffalo, and Calf is an unspecified painting by the Song dynasty painting artist Li You. It dates from 1145 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Technique & Style

The composition balances dynamic figures with controlled handling of ink and wash, reflecting formal stylistic conventions of 12th-century Chinese painting.

Man, Buffalo, and Calf is a Chinese painting created by Li You in 1145. Executed on a support typical of Song dynasty Buddhist art, the work demonstrates a restrained brushwork and muted palette that convey narrative clarity and spiritual solemnity. The composition balances dynamic figures with controlled handling of ink and wash, reflecting formal stylistic conventions of 12th-century Chinese painting.

The painting is housed at the Cleveland Museum of Art, where its condition remains stable, preserving the original pigments and surface integrity.

History & Provenance

The painting Man, Buffalo, and Calf was created by Li You around 1145 in China. It entered the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it remains on view in the museum's Asian art galleries. The work was acquired by the museum in 1960 as part of its early Asian painting acquisitions.

Its creation date aligns with the early 12th century, reflecting the artistic activity of the Song dynasty period in China.

The painting is held by the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is recorded as inventory number 1960.41.

It has been included in the museum’s permanent holdings since accession in 1960 and is documented as part of the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection.

Overview

Man, Buffalo, and Calf, attributed to the Chinese painter Li You, dates to 1145 and is part of the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. The composition presents a tranquil outdoor setting in which a solitary figure, a buffalo and its young calf share the same space, framed by a modest landscape of water and distant hills.

Subject & Meaning

The work depicts a man seated beneath a tree, a staff in hand, while a mature buffalo stands nearby, gazing downward. A small calf grazes on the grass, suggesting a moment of peaceful coexistence between humanity and animal life. The arrangement may allude to themes of harmony with nature and the cyclical relationship of care and sustenance.