Artwork
Distant View of Tiger Hill from the Canal Mooring, from Twelve Views of Tiger Hill, Suzhou
Distant View of Tiger Hill from the Canal Mooring, from Twelve Views of Tiger Hill, Suzhou is an unspecified painting by the Yuan dynasty literati painting artist Shen Zhou. It dates from 1500 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
History & Provenance
The painting was created by Shen Zhou in 1500, produced in China as one leaf of the album Twelve Views of Tiger Hill, Suzhou. It entered the Cleveland Museum of Art's collection, where it is catalogued under accession number 1964.371.1. The available records do not detail the intermediate ownership chain or the circumstances of commission prior to its acquisition by the Cleveland Museum of Art.
Context
It forms part of a twelve-view series of Tiger Hill in Suzhou and depicts a house and a tree within a Chinese landscape composition.
Distant View of Tiger Hill from the Canal Mooring, from Twelve Views of Tiger Hill, Suzhou is a painting by Shen Zhou dated to 1500 and held by the Cleveland Museum of Art (accession number 1964.371.1). It forms part of a twelve-view series of Tiger Hill in Suzhou and depicts a house and a tree within a Chinese landscape composition. The work exemplifies the literati style associated with the Ming-dynasty Wu School, reflecting Shen Zhou's mature period and his contribution to early Ming landscape painting.
Overview
This painting, titled "Distant View of Tiger Hill from the Canal Mooring," was created by Shen Zhou in 1500. It forms part of a larger series known as "Twelve Views of Tiger Hill, Suzhou." The artwork presents a serene landscape, reflecting the artist's characteristic approach to natural scenery, and is housed in the collection of The Cleveland Museum of Art.
Subject & Meaning
The composition depicts a secluded house and a solitary tree, set against a backdrop of distant mountains, which allude to Tiger Hill. In the foreground, a body of water, likely a canal, features boats moored along its bank. This arrangement conveys a sense of quiet contemplation and illustrates the harmonious relationship between human habitation and the natural world.
Technique & Style
Rendered in black and white, the painting employs subtle ink washes to create depth and texture, defining the landscape without the use of color. Shen Zhou utilized gentle curves and soft lines, contributing to a balanced and harmonious visual flow. The strategic application of negative space further enhances the tranquil atmosphere, drawing the viewer's attention to the central elements of the scene.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Shen Zhou spent his life in the Suzhou region of China, where his family’s money and connections mattered more than art, until it did.
Untitled
The Thousand Buddha Hall and the Pagoda of the "Cloudy Cliff" Monastery, from Twelve Views of Tiger Hill, Suzhou
Untitled
Untitled
明 沈周 溪山秋色圖 卷|明 沈周 溪山秋色圖 卷明 楷書溪山秋色圖 引首|Autumn Colors among Streams and Mountains
明 （倣）沈周 怡松圖 卷|Enjoying the Pines
The Enlightened Stone Retreat, from Twelve Views of Tiger Hill, Suzhou
The Nodding Stone Terrace, Tiger Hill, and the Thousand-Man Seat, from Twelve Views of Tiger Hill, Suzhou
- Distant View of Tiger Hill from the Canal Mooring, from Twelve Views of Tiger Hill, Suzhou
Cloud-Climbing Pavilion, from Twelve Views of Tiger Hill, Suzhou
The Pine Retreat, from Twelve Views of Tiger Hill, Suzhou
The Five Sages Terrace, from Twelve Views of Tiger Hill, Suzhou
The Thousand Acres of Clouds, from Twelve Views of Tiger Hill, Suzhou
Cloud-Climbing Pavilion, from Twelve Views of Tiger Hill, Suzhou
The Thousand Buddha Hall and the Pagoda of the "Cloudy Cliff" Monastery, from Twelve Views of Tiger Hill, Suzhou
Bamboo Pavilion, Tiger Hill, from Twelve Views of Tiger Hill, Suzhou
The Pine Retreat, from Twelve Views of Tiger Hill, Suzhou
The Thousand Acres of Clouds, from Twelve Views of Tiger Hill, Suzhou