Artwork

元 唐棣 摩詰詩意圖 軸|Landscape after a poem by Wang Wei

元  唐棣  摩詰詩意圖  軸|Landscape after a poem by Wang Wei, by Tang Di, ink, 1323
元  唐棣  摩詰詩意圖  軸|Landscape after a poem by Wang Wei, by Tang Di, ink, 1323

元 唐棣 摩詰詩意圖 軸|Landscape after a poem by Wang Wei is an ink painting by the Song dynasty landscape artist Tang Di. It dates from 1323 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Accession no.
1985.214.147
Credit line
Gift of Ernest Erickson Foundation, 1985

About this work

Technique & Style

The physical format of the hanging scroll dictates the vertical presentation and handling typical of East Asian scroll paintings.

Created in 1323, this hanging scroll by Tang Di is executed in ink and color on a silk support. As a landscape painting, the work adheres to the formal conventions of the genre, utilizing the traditional Chinese medium of ink and pigment applied to woven silk. The artist employs these materials to render a scenic composition inspired by the poetic imagery of Wang Wei.

The physical format of the hanging scroll dictates the vertical presentation and handling typical of East Asian scroll paintings. While specific details regarding brushwork or current conservation status are not detailed in the provided records, the classification confirms the piece as a painted landscape from the Yuan period, characterized by the integration of literary themes with visual representation on silk.

History & Provenance

Created in 1323, the hanging scroll titled Landscape after a poem by Wang Wei was executed by the Yuan dynasty artist Tang Di. Rendered in ink and color on silk, it depicts a landscape inspired by the poetry of Wang Wei. The work originated in China and is now held in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, where it is recorded as accession number 1973.120.1, having entered the collection in 1973.

No details regarding the original commission or the chain of ownership prior to its acquisition by the museum are documented in the available records.

Context

The hanging scroll dated 1323 by Tang Di exemplifies Yuan‑era landscape painting, combining ink with subtle color on silk to render a poetic vista inspired by Wang Wei. Its composition and iconography have been noted in scholarly discussions of Chinese court artists, positioning Tang Di within a tradition that linked visual art to literary themes. The work’s presence in the Metropolitan Museum of Art underscores its significance as a representative piece of early 14th‑century Chinese painting, frequently referenced in studies of artistic exchange and the integration of poetry and painting.

Overview

Tang Di, a painter active during the Yuan Dynasty, created this hanging scroll in 1323. Rendered in ink and color on silk, the work is titled "Landscape after a poem by Wang Wei". It exemplifies the tradition of "song landscape" painting, where visual art interprets poetic themes.

The artist aimed to evoke the emotional resonance of an 8th-century poem by Wang Wei rather than illustrating its literal content.

Subject & Meaning

This painting interprets the atmospheric quality of an 8th-century poem by Wang Wei, a renowned Tang dynasty poet. Rather than a direct illustration, Tang Di sought to capture the poem's underlying sentiment and imagery. The composition features a serene river winding through mist-shrouded mountains, with small dwellings and a solitary fisherman subtly integrated into the expansive natural setting.

元  羅稚川  古木寒鴉圖  軸|Crows in Old Trees
元 羅稚川 古木寒鴉圖 軸|Crows in Old Trees, Luo Zhichuan

Artist & collection

Portrait of Tang Di

Artist

Tang Di

Tang Di (Chinese: 唐棣; pinyin: Táng Dì; Wade–Giles: T'ang Ti; (c. 1287 – 1355)), style name as Zihua (子華), pseudonym as Dunzhai, was a Chinese landscape painter during the Yuan Dynasty (1279–1368). Tang Di was born in…

Frequently asked questions

Who painted 元 唐棣 摩詰詩意圖 軸|Landscape after a poem by Wang Wei?

元 唐棣 摩詰詩意圖 軸|Landscape after a poem by Wang Wei was painted by Tang Di in dated 1323.

Where can I see 元 唐棣 摩詰詩意圖 軸|Landscape after a poem by Wang Wei?

元 唐棣 摩詰詩意圖 軸|Landscape after a poem by Wang Wei is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is 元 唐棣 摩詰詩意圖 軸|Landscape after a poem by Wang Wei?

元 唐棣 摩詰詩意圖 軸|Landscape after a poem by Wang Wei is associated with Song dynasty landscape.