Artwork
明 佚名 舊傳燕文貴 溪山行旅圖 卷|Landscape
明 佚名 舊傳燕文貴 溪山行旅圖 卷|Landscape is an ink painting. It dates from 1639 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This handscroll, titled Landscape (溪山行旅圖), is a painting from China's Ming dynasty.
About this work
History & Provenance
It has been exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum of Art; the earliest documented exhibition is the 1914 "Loan Exhibition of Chinese Paintings" held there.
The handscroll landscape titled 'Travelers Among Mountains and Streams,' traditionally but incorrectly attributed to the Northern Song painter Yan Wengui, was actually created in 1639 by an unknown Chinese artist. This date places the work firmly in the late Ming dynasty, significantly later than the attributed master's era. The painting is executed in ink and color on paper.
While the specific commission details and the original patron remain undocumented in the available records, the work's creation history is defined by this late dating and anonymous authorship. The scroll subsequently entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, where it is currently held under the accession number 13.220.97.
The work is held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, where it is recorded as accession number 13.220.97. It has been exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum of Art; the earliest documented exhibition is the 1914 "Loan Exhibition of Chinese Paintings" held there.
Overview
This handscroll, titled Landscape (溪山行旅圖), is a painting from China's Ming dynasty. While the artist remains unknown, it was historically associated with Yan Wengui. Executed with ink and color on paper, the artwork presents a detailed depiction of a natural scene, focusing on the interplay of mountains and a river. Its traditional Chinese aesthetic is characterized by a harmonious blend of simple lines and natural hues.
Subject & Meaning
The artwork portrays an expansive natural vista, featuring towering mountains and a flowing river. The title, Landscape of Streams and Mountains with Travelers, suggests a scene where human figures might navigate or observe this environment, though the visual note emphasizes the natural elements. This type of landscape painting often invites contemplation of nature's grandeur and humanity's place within it, a common theme in traditional Chinese art.
Technique & Style
Created using ink and color on paper, this handscroll exhibits a meticulous approach to detail. The artist employed a traditional Chinese painting style, characterized by its use of unadorned lines and a palette of natural colors. This method contributes to a sense of depth and tranquility, allowing the viewer to visually traverse the depicted landscape as the scroll is unfurled.
Artist & collection
