Miniature Album with Figures and Landscape (Landscape with Two Buildings)

Miniature Album with Figures and Landscape, also known as Landscape with Two Buildings, is a small-scale ink painting executed in 1822 by the Chinese artist Zeng Yangdong. The work is part of the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is displayed as an example of early‑nineteenth‑century literati landscape.

The composition presents a tranquil countryside scene in which two modest structures are nestled among gently rolling hills and a sparse grove of trees. A narrow, winding path threads through the terrain, suggesting a quiet journey or retreat. The absence of human figures emphasizes the serenity of the natural setting and the contemplative mood typical of scholarly painting.

Rendered primarily in monochrome ink with subtle washes of gray, the painting relies on delicate brushwork to convey form and atmosphere. Loose, rapid strokes create a sketch‑like quality, while occasional touches of green and yellow provide restrained highlights. The overall effect is that of a spontaneous study, reflecting the literati tradition of valuing expressive brush gestures over meticulous detail.