Artwork
Mt. Fenghuang (Mt. Phoenix)
Mt. Fenghuang (Mt. Phoenix) is an unspecified painting by the Ming dynasty painting artist Song Xu. It dates from 1594 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
History & Provenance
It currently resides within the Cleveland Museum of Art's holdings, where it is classified as a painting depicting mountains, trees, and a house.
Created in 1588 by the Chinese artist Song Xu (1525–c. 1606), Mt. Fenghuang (also known as Mt. Phoenix) was produced in Jiaxing.
The work, identified by the accession number 1998.78.2, entered the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art in 1998. While the specific circumstances of its original commission and the details of its ownership history prior to its museum acquisition are not detailed in the available records, the painting's inception date and place of creation are firmly established. It currently resides within the Cleveland Museum of Art's holdings, where it is classified as a painting depicting mountains, trees, and a house.
The painting Mt. Fenghuang (also known as Mt. Phoenix), created by Song Xu in 1588, is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
The institution assigns the work the accession number 1998.78.2. While the artwork's creation location is identified as Jiaxing and its subject matter includes mountains, houses, and trees, the provided records do not list specific past exhibitions or additional provenance details beyond its current repository and cataloging information.
Context
Mt. Fenghuang (Mt. Phoenix) is a 1588 painting by Chinese artist Song Xu, recorded in the Cleveland Museum of Art collection (1998.78.2) and documented as originating from Jiaxing.
The work depicts a house, mountain and tree, a composition that aligns with Ming‑dynasty symbolic landscapes where the phoenix motif conveys auspiciousness. As part of Song Xu’s known oeuvre of bird‑and‑flower and landscape subjects, the piece is cited in scholarly catalogues as a representative example of late‑16th‑century Chinese painting, reflecting both technical mastery and cultural symbolism. Its presence in a major museum highlights its significance within the broader narrative of Chinese art history.
Legacy
Mt. Fenghuang (Mt. Phoenix) by Song Xu, painted in 1588 in Jiaxing, entered the Cleveland Museum of Art collection (1998.78.2) and is documented in its catalogue.
Its inclusion in a major public institution has contributed to renewed scholarly attention to Song Xu’s oeuvre, positioning the work as an exemplar of late Ming dynasty landscape painting. The painting’s depiction of a mythic phoenix‑mountain motif continues to be referenced in studies of Chinese symbolic iconography, reinforcing Song Xu’s reputation as a master of integrating narrative and topography.
Overview
Song Xu's painting, Mt. Fenghuang (Mt. Phoenix), completed in 1594, presents a serene landscape.
This work captures a mountainous vista, featuring a solitary dwelling nestled among trees. The composition invites contemplation of nature's grandeur and human presence within it, reflecting common themes in traditional Chinese landscape painting. It is currently part of the collection at The Cleveland Museum of Art.
Subject & Meaning
The painting portrays a tranquil scene dominated by rugged, brown mountains dotted with green foliage. Structures in shades of brown and gray are visible, hinting at human habitation. In the foreground, a figure stands on a bridge amidst trees and bushes, suggesting a journey or a moment of quiet observation.
The light brown background contributes to an atmosphere of peace and warmth, encouraging the viewer to engage with the depicted natural world.
Technique & Style
Song Xu employs a palette of earthy tones, primarily browns and grays, to render the rocky mountains and architectural elements. Green accents on the trees provide contrast and vitality. The composition carefully balances the imposing scale of the mountains with the delicate details of the foreground, such as the individual on the bridge. The overall execution emphasizes a sense of depth and atmospheric perspective, characteristic of classical Chinese landscape painting.
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