Who painted 明/清佚名仿方從義巢雲圖卷|Miniature Landscape?

明/清佚名仿方從義巢雲圖卷|Miniature Landscape was painted by Xia Gui.

Where can I see 明/清佚名仿方從義巢雲圖卷|Miniature Landscape?

明/清佚名仿方從義巢雲圖卷|Miniature Landscape is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is 明/清佚名仿方從義巢雲圖卷|Miniature Landscape?

明/清佚名仿方從義巢雲圖卷|Miniature Landscape is associated with Ming dynasty painting.

Artwork

明/清佚名仿方從義巢雲圖卷|Miniature Landscape

Xia Gui

明/清佚名仿方從義巢雲圖卷|Miniature Landscape is an ink painting by the Ming dynasty painting artist Xia Gui. It is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This handscroll, titled Miniature Landscape (巢雲圖), is an anonymous work from the Ming or Qing dynasty, dated 1639.

Accession no.: 47.18.13a, b
Credit line: From the Collection of A. W. Bahr, Purchase, Fletcher Fund, 1947

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The work is a miniature landscape painting that portrays a compact, stylized view of natural scenery typical of Chinese landscape tradition.

The work is a miniature landscape painting that portrays a compact, stylized view of natural scenery typical of Chinese landscape tradition. Executed in ink on paper around 1639, it reflects the genre’s emphasis on atmospheric depth and the representation of mountains, water, and vegetation within a confined space. As a landscape, the piece symbolizes the aesthetic appreciation of nature’s harmony and the transitory quality of the environment, a common theme in Ming‑Qing art.

The work is attributed to an anonymous follower of Xia Gui and is housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, underscoring its significance within the museum’s collection of Chinese paintings.

History & Provenance

The handscroll was produced in 1639, a date given for its inception, and was made in China. It is attributed to an anonymous painter working in the Ming or Qing tradition, who imitated the style of Fang Congyi in a work titled "Nest of Clouds" (Chaoyun tu). No information is available regarding the original commission, early ownership, or any intermediate collectors who may have held the scroll before its arrival at its present institution.

The painting is now part of the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is held as a landscape painting in ink on paper, mounted as a handscroll.

The Miniature Landscape, attributed to an anonymous Ming or Qing dynasty artist working in imitation of Fang Congyi, is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. According to the Wikidata record for the work, its inception is dated to 1639, and it was produced in China. The painting is classified as a work in the Paintings department and consists of two handscrolls executed in ink on paper. No specific inventory or accession number, nor any exhibition history, is recorded in the available sources.

Overview

This handscroll, titled Miniature Landscape (巢雲圖), is an anonymous work from the Ming or Qing dynasty, dated 1639. Executed in ink on paper, it is a painting created in the style of the 14th-century artist Fang Congyi. The artwork presents a compact yet expansive landscape, characterized by a mountainous scene enveloped in mist. Its small scale invites intimate viewing, typical of traditional Chinese handscrolls.

Technique & Style

Rendered with ink on paper, this piece demonstrates a refined calligraphic approach. The artist employed a restrained hand, using minimal strokes to delineate forms such as clouds, rocks, and trees. This economical technique, characteristic of the Yuan dynasty master Fang Congyi, allows for a sense of lightness and spontaneity.

The subtle gradations of ink create a nuanced visual texture, building a complete world with remarkable precision on a small surface.