Artwork
明 史忠 雪景山水圖 軸|Winter landscape with fisherman
明 史忠 雪景山水圖 軸|Winter landscape with fisherman is an ink painting by the Ming dynasty painting artist Shi Zhong. It dates from 1497 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The imagery of a fisherman in a boat amid winter conditions serves as the primary subject, grounding the piece in the genre of landscape painting.
The work depicts a winter landscape scene centered on a boat engaged in fishing activities. Executed as a hanging scroll in ink on paper, the composition illustrates a solitary figure navigating a snow-covered environment, a traditional motif in Chinese landscape painting. The imagery of a fisherman in a boat amid winter conditions serves as the primary subject, grounding the piece in the genre of landscape painting.
While specific symbolic interpretations are not detailed in the provided records, the depiction of fishing in a wintry setting reflects a common artistic theme of human interaction with nature. The work, dated to 1497, captures the quiet solitude and resilience often associated with such scenes, presenting a stark, atmospheric view of life along the water during the cold season.
History & Provenance
The hanging scroll titled Winter landscape with fisherman by the Ming artist Shi Zhong is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Created in 1497, this ink-on-paper landscape painting is cataloged within the museum's holdings of Chinese art. The work depicts a winter scene featuring a boat and fishing activities.
While the source material confirms the artwork's location at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and its creation date, it does not provide a specific inventory or accession number for the piece. Furthermore, the available records do not document any past or scheduled exhibition history for this specific work.
Overview
Shi Zhong's "Winter Landscape with Fisherman," created in 1497 during the Ming dynasty, is an ink-on-paper hanging scroll. This painting captures a serene winter scene, focusing on a solitary figure navigating a snowy river. The work exemplifies the period's appreciation for contemplative natural settings, rendered with a restrained palette characteristic of traditional Chinese landscape art.
Technique & Style
Executed in ink on paper, the artwork employs a monochromatic scheme dominated by black, white, and various shades of gray. A striking exception is the fisherman's red robe, which provides the sole point of vibrant color. Shi Zhong skillfully utilizes expansive empty spaces to convey tranquility, while delicate ink washes soften the distant elements, creating an atmospheric depth and a palpable sense of cold stillness.
Context
This artwork reflects artistic conventions prevalent during the Ming dynasty, a period when landscape painters frequently explored themes of solitude and the sublime in nature. The deliberate inclusion of significant empty space was a common technique to emphasize quietude and encourage contemplation, aligning with philosophical ideals of harmony between humanity and the natural world. Shi Zhong's work thus participates in a rich tradition of evoking profound moods through minimalist composition.
Artist & collection
