Who painted Landscape Album in Various Styles: The Stream of Wuling?

Landscape Album in Various Styles: The Stream of Wuling was painted by Zha Shibiao in 1684.

Where can I see Landscape Album in Various Styles: The Stream of Wuling?

Landscape Album in Various Styles: The Stream of Wuling is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Landscape Album in Various Styles: The Stream of Wuling?

Landscape Album in Various Styles: The Stream of Wuling is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Landscape Album in Various Styles: The Stream of Wuling

Zha Shibiao , 1684

Landscape Album in Various Styles: The Stream of Wuling is an unspecified painting by the Baroque artist Zha Shibiao. It dates from 1684 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Accession no.: 1955.37.4
Credit line: Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Severance A. Millikin

About this work

Zha Shibiao left out the usual signs of the “Peach Blossom Spring” story, no cave, no fisherman, no hidden village.

You see a quiet river winding through misty hills, with two small boats and two men talking.

Zha Shibiao left out the usual signs of the “Peach Blossom Spring” story, no cave, no fisherman, no hidden village. Instead, he shows two men in boats, maybe debating the way to that legendary place. The fresh colors and wet brushstrokes feel like spring rain.

Look up more works in the subject: china, qing dynasty (1644-1911).

Overview

This album, 'Landscape Album in Various Styles: The Stream of Wuling,' is a painting by Zha Shibiao created at the age of 68, featuring seasonal landscapes in diverse styles.

Subject & Meaning

The work alludes to the 'Peach Blossom Spring' tale through its title, yet omits traditional iconography, instead depicting two men conversing in separate boats amidst a serene landscape, leaving interpretation open to the viewer's imagination.

Technique & Style

Executed with fresh colors and wet brushstrokes, the painting captures the essence of Jiangnan scenery, evoking the feeling of spring rain through its lyrical portrayal of willows, pavilions, and misty hills.

Context

The 'Peach Blossom Spring' is a well-known Chinese fable about a utopian society hidden from the world, and Zha Shibiao's work engages with this narrative in a subtle and interpretive manner.