Artwork
清 石濤(朱若極) 尋僊山水圖 冊|Landscapes

清 石濤(朱若極) 尋僊山水圖 冊|Landscapes is an ink painting by the Baroque artist Shitao. It dates from 1694 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The work represents an example of Chinese landscape genre painting from the Qing dynasty, currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Created in 1694 by the artist Shitao (Zhu Ruoji), this work is an album of eight leaves executed in ink and color on paper. Classified as a landscape painting, the primary subject depicted across the leaves is a boat. While the specific narrative context or deeper symbolic meaning regarding the 'seeking of immortals' implied by the title is not explicitly detailed in the available records, the iconography centers on this maritime element within a natural setting.
The work represents an example of Chinese landscape genre painting from the Qing dynasty, currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The focus remains on the visual representation of the boat within the broader landscape composition.
Technique & Style
Shitao's Landscapes is an album comprising eight leaves, executed in ink and color on paper. Created in 1694, the work measures 14.9 by 27.3 centimeters. Stylistically, the piece falls within the genre of landscape painting and features a boat among its depicted elements.
The composition reflects traditional Chinese painting practices of the period, utilizing the fluid, expressive potential of ink and color applied to a paper support to construct its scenic forms.
History & Provenance
The album of eight leaves titled Landscapes (also known as Seeking Immortals) was created by the artist Shitao (Zhu Ruoji) in 1694. Executed in ink and color on paper, the work originates from China and is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The album consists of eight individual sheets, each measuring approximately 14.9 cm in height and 27.3 cm in width.
While the specific commission details or the original owner prior to the museum acquisition are not detailed in the available records, the work dates to the early 1690s, a period when Shitao was active in the Yangzhou region. No further details regarding its specific inventory or accession number, nor any specific exhibition history, are provided by the available sources.
Legacy
The album of eight leaves, painted in 1694 by Shitao (Zhu Ruoji), exemplifies his mature landscape style and includes a depiction of a boat, a motif that recurs in his oeuvre. It is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Shitao is regarded as a pivotal and individualist figure in early Qing landscape painting.
Overview
Shitao's album, Landscapes (清 石濤(朱若極) 尋僊山水圖 冊), comprises eight individual leaves painted around 1694. Executed in ink and color on paper, these works present a series of intimate natural scenes. Each leaf features mountainous terrain, often shrouded in mist, with a small boat frequently appearing as a focal point. The collection exemplifies Shitao's distinctive approach to landscape painting during the Qing dynasty.
Context
Created in the 1690s, this album reflects Shitao's independent artistic vision during a period when many Chinese painters adhered to established stylistic conventions. While his contemporaries often followed strict compositional and brushwork rules, Shitao chose a more personal and observational approach. His departure from academic norms allowed for a freshness and vitality in his portrayal of natural forms, making his work distinctive.
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