Artwork

Untitled

Untitled, by After Ni Zan, paint, 1639
Untitled, by After Ni Zan, paint, 1639

Untitled is a paint painting by the Yuan dynasty literati painting artist After Ni Zan. It dates from 1639 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

A long handscroll of mountains, trees, and a winding river, with no figures, just still land. The ink is light, almost floated onto the paper. Painted after Ni Zan and left unsigned, like many old Chinese scrolls whose makers were lost over the centuries. 1639.

Subject & Meaning

As a landscape genre piece originating from China, the subject matter focuses entirely on natural scenery, specifically featuring a river environment.

The work is a landscape painting created in 1639 that depicts a river scene. Executed as a handscroll in color on paper, the piece is attributed to an anonymous artist working in the style of Ni Zan. As a landscape genre piece originating from China, the subject matter focuses entirely on natural scenery, specifically featuring a river environment.

The composition does not include narrative figures or specific iconographic symbols beyond the representation of the river and the broader landscape itself, adhering to the conventions of Chinese landscape painting traditions of the period.

Technique & Style

Created in 1639, this Chinese landscape painting is executed as a handscroll using color on paper. Measuring 27.9 cm in height by 146.1 cm in width, the work depicts a river landscape. Stylistically, the piece is attributed to an anonymous painter working after Ni Zan, reflecting the aesthetic traditions associated with Ni Zan's landscape approach.

The composition belongs to the paintings classification and remains in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

History & Provenance

The work is a handscroll executed in color on paper, created in 1639 and attributed to an anonymous painter working in the manner of Ni Zan. It was produced in China and depicts a landscape with a river. The scroll, measuring 27.9 by 146.1 centimeters, is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is classified as a painting.

The handscroll titled Untitled, attributed to a follower of Ni Zan and dated 1639, is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Created in China, this color-on-paper landscape depicting a river measures 27.9 cm in height and 146.1 cm in width. While the work is cataloged within the museum's holdings, the provided records do not specify a unique accession number or detail any past exhibition history for this specific object.

Overview

This handscroll, titled Untitled, is a landscape painting created in 1639. Attributed to an artist working "After Ni Zan," it was executed with color on paper. The composition presents a serene natural environment, characterized by a winding river, distant mountains, and sparse trees, notably devoid of human presence.

清   柳堉   山水圖  卷|Traveling Amid Streams and Mountains
清 柳堉 山水圖 卷|Traveling Amid Streams and Mountains, Liu Yu

Artist & collection

Portrait of After Ni Zan

Artist

After Ni Zan

The attribution "After Ni Zan" denotes a work made in the manner of, or copied from, the Chinese painter Ni Zan (1301-1374), not an original by his hand.

Frequently asked questions

Who painted Untitled?

Untitled was painted by After Ni Zan in 1639.

Where can I see Untitled?

Untitled is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Untitled?

Untitled is associated with Yuan dynasty literati painting.