Where can I see 清緙絲山水人物圖|Mythical landscape with immortals?

清緙絲山水人物圖|Mythical landscape with immortals is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is 清緙絲山水人物圖|Mythical landscape with immortals?

清緙絲山水人物圖|Mythical landscape with immortals is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

清緙絲山水人物圖|Mythical landscape with immortals

清緙絲山水人物圖|Mythical landscape with immortals is an ink painting. It dates from 1849 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Technique & Style

The work is executed in the Chinese kesi technique, a silk tapestry woven with sections of hand-painted ink and pigment coloration.

The work is executed in the Chinese kesi technique, a silk tapestry woven with sections of hand-painted ink and pigment coloration. Its support consists of silk fabric, providing a smooth, flexible ground typical of tapestry production. The piece measures 45.1 cm in height by 165.1 cm in width and was created in China in 1849; it is now held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Stylistically, it belongs to the landscape genre and portrays a mythical scene with immortal figures, employing a composition of layered color planes and delicate line work that emphasizes an ethereal atmosphere.

History & Provenance

The work titled 清緙絲山水人物圖 (Mythical landscape with immortals) was created in 1849 in China as a silk tapestry (kesi) incorporating hand-painted ink and colour. The anonymous maker produced the piece, which depicts a man and a woman within a mythical landscape. Following its creation, the tapestry entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it has been catalogued as a landscape painting.

Its presence in the museum's holdings reflects its status as part of the permanent collection, though specific acquisition details remain unspecified.

Overview

This artwork, titled Mythical landscape with immortals (清緙絲山水人物圖), is a painting created using the kesi silk tapestry technique, enhanced with hand-painted ink and color. It presents a serene natural environment populated by figures. The composition integrates traditional elements of Chinese landscape art, featuring a harmonious blend of mountainous terrain, flowing water, and diverse flora, all rendered on a silk ground.

Subject & Meaning

The composition portrays a tranquil, expansive landscape, characteristic of traditional Chinese painting. Within this natural setting, figures dressed in customary attire are depicted amidst a rich tapestry of mountains, flowing water, and various trees. The title, Mythical landscape with immortals, indicates that these individuals are likely Daoist immortals, suggesting a scene of spiritual retreat or an idealized realm.

Artist & collection

Museum

Metropolitan Museum of Art

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