Artwork

Landscape Album in Various Styles: Snowy Landscape

Landscape Album in Various Styles: Snowy Landscape, by Zha Shibiao, unspecified, 1692
Landscape Album in Various Styles: Snowy Landscape, by Zha Shibiao, unspecified, 1692

Landscape Album in Various Styles: Snowy Landscape is an unspecified painting by the Yuan dynasty literati painting artist Zha Shibiao. It dates from 1692 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Technique & Style

The artwork is documented as a 1684 Chinese painting titled Landscape Album in Various Styles: Snowy Landscape, falling within the landscape genre.

The artwork is documented as a 1684 Chinese painting titled Landscape Album in Various Styles: Snowy Landscape, falling within the landscape genre. Its composition features a single tree rendered in a winter scene, a detail noted in the catalog. The piece was created in China and is presently held by the Cleveland Museum of Art (accession 1955.37.11). Formal observation records the depiction of a tree within a snowy setting as the primary visual element.

History & Provenance

The work titled "Landscape Album in Various Styles: Snowy Landscape" was created in 1684 in China by the Chinese painter Zha Shibiao (1615–1698). It belongs to the landscape painting genre and depicts a snowy scene, reflecting the artist's exploration of multiple stylistic approaches within the album format. The painting remained in China until its acquisition by the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is catalogued under accession number 1955.37.11 and currently resides in the museum's collection.

Its provenance traces a direct chain from the artist's studio in the late 17th century to the museum's holdings, with no recorded commission or intermediate owners documented.

Landscape Album in Various Styles: Snowy Landscape is held by the Cleveland Museum of Art in Cleveland, Ohio. Its accession number is 1955.37.11, reflecting its inclusion in the museum’s collection since 1955. The work is catalogued as a painting created in 1684 in China by the Chinese artist Zha Shibiao, and it is classified as a landscape painting. The available documentation does not reference any recorded exhibition history for this piece.

Overview

This painting, titled Snowy Landscape, is part of Zha Shibiao's Landscape Album in Various Styles, created in 1692. It presents a tranquil winter vista, characterized by a sense of stillness and contemplation. The artwork is currently housed in The Cleveland Museum of Art, offering a glimpse into the artist's late-career output.

Subject & Meaning

The composition features a solitary figure observing a snow-dusted landscape. Bare, gnarled trees with twisted branches dominate the foreground, while a path winds through a light covering of snow. In the distance, a mountain range rises, its dark contours suggesting rugged terrain. The scene evokes a quiet, introspective mood, typical of literati painting traditions.

Landscape Album in Various Styles: Snowy Landscape
Landscape Album in Various Styles: Snowy Landscape, Zha Shibiao

Artist & collection

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.

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Frequently asked questions

Who painted Landscape Album in Various Styles: Snowy Landscape?

Landscape Album in Various Styles: Snowy Landscape was painted by Zha Shibiao in 1684-01-01.

Where can I see Landscape Album in Various Styles: Snowy Landscape?

Landscape Album in Various Styles: Snowy Landscape is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Landscape Album in Various Styles: Snowy Landscape?

Landscape Album in Various Styles: Snowy Landscape is associated with Yuan dynasty literati painting.

Can I buy a print of Landscape Album in Various Styles: Snowy Landscape?

Museum-quality prints of Landscape Album in Various Styles: Snowy Landscape are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.