Who painted Leisure Enough to Spare?

Leisure Enough to Spare was painted by Yao Tingmei in 1360.

Where can I see Leisure Enough to Spare?

Leisure Enough to Spare is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Leisure Enough to Spare?

Leisure Enough to Spare is associated with Yuan dynasty literati painting.

Artwork

Leisure Enough to Spare

Yao Tingmei , 1360

Leisure Enough to Spare is an unspecified painting by the Yuan dynasty literati painting artist Yao Tingmei. It dates from 1360 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Accession no.: 1954.791
Credit line: John L. Severance Fund

About this work

More than twenty poems by other scholars are written right on the scroll, turning the picture into a conversation.

You see a scroll with a quiet garden: rocks, bamboo, a scholar’s desk, and a man reading under a pine tree.

This painting was made in 1360 for a friend named Du, a man who chose a simple life. More than twenty poems by other scholars are written right on the scroll, turning the picture into a conversation. It feels like a private letter, not a public show.

To see how other Yuan-dynasty artists painted gardens, look up the subject china, yuan dynasty (1271-1368).

Overview

Leisure Enough to Spare is a painting by Yao Tingmei, created in 1360, which embodies the ideals of seclusion and leisure cherished by the literati. The work combines painting, calligraphy, and poetry, featuring a serene garden scene accompanied by over 20 poems and essays from esteemed scholars, including Yang Weizhen.

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts a tranquil garden with a scholar engaged in reading under a pine tree, surrounded by rocks, bamboo, and a desk. This serene setting reflects the literati's pursuit of a simple, contemplative life, resonating deeply amid the turmoil of the late Yuan dynasty. Dedicated to the ascetic Du, it highlights the value placed on intellectual solitude.

Technique & Style

Yao Tingmei's individual style, influenced by ancient masters Guo Xi, Dong Yuan, and Juran, is evident in the painting. Yang Weizhen's calligraphy, characterized by bold and vigorous strokes, aims to evoke the spirit of antiquity, complementing Yao's work with a dynamic, expressive quality.

History & Provenance

Commissioned in 1360 for Du, a friend who embraced a simple life, the scroll became a collaborative artistic and literary tribute, with contributions from over 20 scholars. This practice reflects the social obligation among literati to contribute to communal artistic projects.

Context

Created near the end of the Yuan dynasty, amidst military uprisings, the work's theme of leisure and seclusion gained particular significance. It contrasts with the external turmoil, embodying the literati's escape into intellectual and aesthetic pursuits.

Legacy

Leisure Enough to Spare showcases not only the aesthetic preferences of the Yuan dynasty's literati but also the collaborative nature of their artistic practices. It stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of traditional Chinese garden scenes and the integration of multiple arts in a single work.