Artwork
Bilang Lake
Bilang Lake is an unspecified painting by the Renaissance artist Song Xu. It dates from 1588 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- 1998.78.17
About this work
Overview
Bilang Lake is a painting from an album depicting scenic sites around Lake Tai, on the border of Changxing and Wuxing counties in the lower Yangzi delta region.
Subject & Meaning
The painting shows a serene lakeside scene with mist-shrouded hills, trees, and boats near the shore, accompanied by buildings. Inscriptions on the paintings suggest they were created as commemorative works or travel guides, possibly for 'armchair travel'.
Technique & Style
Soft brushwork characterizes the hazy atmosphere of the scene, typical of topographical depictions that flourished in the region during the Ming dynasty.
History & Provenance
The album was created by Song Xu, an artist who traveled through the area, recording actual sites around Lake Tai. The work reflects the growing interest in illustrated travel books in the 1500s.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
