Who painted Bamboo, Rock, and Tall Tree?

Bamboo, Rock, and Tall Tree was painted by Ni Zan in 1349-01-01.

Where can I see Bamboo, Rock, and Tall Tree?

Bamboo, Rock, and Tall Tree is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Bamboo, Rock, and Tall Tree?

Bamboo, Rock, and Tall Tree is associated with Yōga.

Can I buy a print of Bamboo, Rock, and Tall Tree?

Museum-quality prints of Bamboo, Rock, and Tall Tree are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Bamboo, Rock, and Tall Tree

Ni Zan , 1349

Bamboo, Rock, and Tall Tree is an unspecified painting by the Yōga artist Ni Zan. It dates from 1349 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

History & Provenance

No documented commission records survive, but stylistic analysis places its execution in the late 1340s, consistent with the artist’s hand and inscription.

The scroll Bamboo, Rock, and Tall Tree is dated 1349 and attributed to Ni Zan. It entered the Cleveland Museum of Art in 1978 as accession number 1978.65. The painting was created in China during the Yuan dynasty, aligning with Ni Zan’s mature period.

No documented commission records survive, but stylistic analysis places its execution in the late 1340s, consistent with the artist’s hand and inscription.

Bamboo, Rock, and Tall Tree is held in the permanent collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art in Cleveland, Ohio. The work, created by the Chinese artist Ni Zan in 1349, is assigned the museum's accession number 1978.65. While the painting depicts elements such as bamboo, rocks, and trees, the provided records do not list specific past exhibitions or a detailed provenance chain beyond its current institutional location and acquisition reference.

The piece remains a significant holding within the museum's Asian art department, representing the Yuan dynasty style associated with its creator.

Legacy

Bamboo, Rock, and Tall Tree, executed by Ni Zan in 1349, exemplifies the spare, lyrical style that defines his mature output. Its inclusion in the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection has positioned the work as a reference point for scholarship on Yuan‑dynasty painting, reinforcing Ni Zan’s reputation as a master of monochrome landscape. The painting’s provenance and date are documented in contemporary records, and its display alongside other Ni Zan pieces has contributed to a sustained appreciation of his aesthetic influence within both academic and public contexts.

Overview

Ni Zan, a prominent Chinese painter of the Yuan dynasty, created Bamboo, Rock, and Tall Tree in 1349. This ink painting exemplifies the literati tradition, known as yoga, which valued personal expression and a refined approach to art. The composition features a solitary tree and rocks, characteristic of the natural themes he frequently explored. The work is currently housed at the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts a single, twisted tree with minimal foliage, set against a stark, rocky terrain. Ni Zan deliberately left much of the background unpainted, drawing attention to the tree's contorted form and the rough texture of the rocks. This minimalist approach and focus on natural elements allowed the artist to convey a sense of solitude and personal reflection, central to the yoga aesthetic.

Technique & Style

Ni Zan employed swift, unconstrained brushstrokes, creating variations in ink density from faint washes to dark accents. The composition is executed on light tan paper, with significant areas left blank to enhance the focus on the central motif. Calligraphic inscriptions in both red and black ink, alongside small red seals, are integrated into the artwork, serving as integral components rather than mere annotations. This reflects the refined brushwork characteristic of literati painting.

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Artist & collection

Artist

Ni Zan

Ni Zan (simplified Chinese: 倪瓒; traditional Chinese: 倪瓚; Wade–Giles: Ni2 Tsan4; 1301–1374) was a Chinese painter during the Yuan and early Ming periods.