Artwork
Boating in Moonlight
Boating in Moonlight is an unspecified painting by the Baroque artist Unknown. It dates from 1604 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- 1989.87
- Credit line
- John L. Severance Fund
About this work
The scene mirrors a famous Chinese poem about finding peace by the water, showing how ideas traveled across cultures.
A small boat glides under a bright moon, a lone figure holding an oar. Dark cliffs rise on one side; the rest is empty space.
This painting comes from Korea’s Joseon dynasty, when scholars often escaped city life for quiet moments in nature. The scene mirrors a famous Chinese poem about finding peace by the water, showing how ideas traveled across cultures.
To see more works like this, look up korea, joseon dynasty (1392–1910).
Overview
Boating in Moonlight is a small painting characterized by bold brushstrokes and contrasting black and white tones. It depicts a serene nocturnal scene.
Subject & Meaning
The painting shows a lone figure in a small boat, navigating under a bright moon with dark cliffs looming on one side. The scene evokes a sense of peaceful solitude, echoing the tradition of illustrating Su Shi's 'Ode to the Red Cliff'.
Technique & Style
The artwork employs a mix of ink wash and bold brushstrokes, creating a dynamic interplay between occupied and empty space.
Context
Created during Korea's Joseon dynasty, the painting reflects the cultural practice of scholars seeking refuge in nature. It also demonstrates the cross-cultural exchange of ideas, as evidenced by its similarity to a famous Chinese poem.
Artist & collection
