清 汪士慎 山水花卉圖 冊|Landscapes and Flowers

The album titled Landscapes and Flowers was created by the Chinese artist Wang Shishen in 1745. Executed in ink and color on paper, this work consists of eight individual paintings depicting both landscape and floral subjects. The piece was produced in China during the Qing dynasty and is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

While specific details regarding the original commission or the immediate chain of ownership prior to its museum acquisition are not provided in the available records, the work is firmly dated to 1745 based on established cataloging. The album measures 20.3 cm in height and 25.1 cm in width, representing a significant example of Wang Shishen's artistic output from the mid-eighteenth century.

The work 清 汪士慎 山水花卉圖 冊, also titled Landscapes and Flowers, is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection. The museum records the piece as part of its holdings, noting its creation in 1745 in China as an ink and color on paper album of eight paintings. No specific accession or inventory number is disclosed in the documented sources.

Likewise, the available records do not mention any exhibition history for this painting, indicating that it has not been publicly listed in exhibitions based on the provided documentation.

This album, titled Landscapes and Flowers, comprises eight paintings created by Wang Shishen in 1745. Executed with ink and subtle color on paper, the work showcases the artist's range through depictions of misty hills, bamboo, orchids, and a single plum branch. Wang Shishen was a significant figure among the "Eight Eccentrics of Yangzhou," a group of unconventional artists during China's Qing Dynasty.

Rendered in ink and delicate color on paper, this album demonstrates Wang Shishen's distinctive approach. The brushwork exhibits a notable looseness, a characteristic influenced by the artist's near-blindness at the time of its creation in 1745, necessitating precision in each mark. The compositions feature serene landscapes with misty hills, alongside delicate portrayals of bamboo, orchids, and a solitary plum branch. Small red seals bearing the artist's name and the date punctuate the compositions.

Wang Shishen (1686–1759) was a painter and calligrapher from Xiuning, Anhui province, active during the Qing Dynasty. Known by his style name Jinren and sobriquets Chaolin and Xidong waishi, he was a professional artist who, despite financial difficulties, became a leading figure among the "Eight Eccentrics of Yangzhou." This group of painters was recognized for their individualistic styles and departure from conventional academic traditions.

Although this album demonstrates his versatility in both landscapes and flowers, Wang Shishen later gained particular renown for his depictions of plum blossoms. Beyond painting, his artistic practice extended to human figures, calligraphy, and seal carving, establishing him as a multifaceted artist within the Qing dynasty's vibrant cultural landscape.