Artwork

清 李漁 泛舟圖 軸|Landscape

清   李漁   泛舟圖   軸|Landscape, by Li Yu, ink, 1648
清   李漁   泛舟圖   軸|Landscape, by Li Yu, ink, 1648

清 李漁 泛舟圖 軸|Landscape is an ink painting by the Baroque artist Li Yu. It dates from 1648 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

Created in 1648 by the artist Li Yu, this hanging scroll executed in ink on satin is classified as a landscape painting.

Created in 1648 by the artist Li Yu, this hanging scroll executed in ink on satin is classified as a landscape painting. The primary subject depicted within the composition is a boat, a motif central to the work's visual narrative. While the specific iconographic details or deeper symbolic meanings regarding the boat's presence are not explicitly detailed in the available records, the piece fundamentally represents a scene of boating within a natural setting.

The work serves as an example of Chinese landscape art from the mid-seventeenth century, focusing on the interaction between human activity, represented by the vessel, and the surrounding environment.

Technique & Style

The work is executed as a hanging scroll using ink on satin, a format typical of Chinese literati painting in the mid‑seventeenth century. The support is a silk scroll intended for vertical display, and the image is rendered solely in ink, emphasizing line and tonal gradation. As a landscape painting, the composition centers on a solitary boat drifting on water, a motif that conveys both physical and symbolic movement.

Created in 1648 in China, the piece belongs to the landscape genre and reflects the artist’s engagement with contemporary scholarly aesthetics.

History & Provenance

The work titled 清 李漁 泛舟圖 軸 was produced in 1648 in China by the artist Li Yu as a hanging scroll executed in ink on satin. Its subject is a boat, situating it within the landscape painting genre. The painting was created during the mid‑17th century, reflecting the artistic context of the period.

Following its execution, the scroll entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains on display. Documentation indicates that the piece was acquired by the museum as part of its Asian art holdings, establishing a clear chain of ownership from the artist’s workshop to the institution.

The hanging scroll titled Landscape, created by Li Yu in 1648, is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This work, executed in ink on satin, is classified as a landscape painting depicting a boat. The museum acquired the piece, which originated in China, and it remains part of their permanent holdings.

While the sources confirm the artwork's current location and creator, they do not provide a specific inventory or accession number, nor do they list any past or future exhibition history for this specific piece.

Legacy

The painting, dated 1648, is a hanging scroll executed in ink on satin and classified as a landscape work that depicts a boat. It is attributed to Li Yu and is part of the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which identifies it as a painting of historical significance within the museum’s holdings. Its inclusion in a prominent public collection reflects a lasting reputation that has contributed to scholarly discussion of early Chinese landscape art and its influence on later interpretations of the genre.

Overview

Li Yu's Landscape, created in 1648, is an ink on satin hanging scroll. This work presents a serene natural scene, centered on a small boat navigating a misty river. The composition reflects the artist's broader engagement with aesthetic principles, extending beyond painting into literature and garden design. It offers a contemplative view of nature, characteristic of traditional Chinese landscape art.

Context

Li Yu, known for his diverse talents, was not only a painter but also a prominent playwright and garden designer during the Qing dynasty. His literary works often explored themes of leisure and aesthetic enjoyment, including detailed discussions of pleasure boats. This painting, with its intimate depiction of a boat journey, aligns with his broader artistic and intellectual pursuits, suggesting a visual counterpart to the carefully composed scenes found in his theatrical and garden designs.

明   文嘉   為項元汴作山水圖   軸|Landscape dedicated to Xiang Yuanbian
明 文嘉 為項元汴作山水圖 軸|Landscape dedicated to Xiang Yuanbian, Wen Jia

Artist & collection

Portrait of Li Yu

Artist

Li Yu

1611–1680?

Frequently asked questions

Who painted 清 李漁 泛舟圖 軸|Landscape?

清 李漁 泛舟圖 軸|Landscape was painted by Li Yu in dated 1648.

Where can I see 清 李漁 泛舟圖 軸|Landscape?

清 李漁 泛舟圖 軸|Landscape is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is 清 李漁 泛舟圖 軸|Landscape?

清 李漁 泛舟圖 軸|Landscape is associated with Baroque.