Artwork
Landscape Album in Various Styles: Spring Plowing

Landscape Album in Various Styles: Spring Plowing is an unspecified painting by the Chinese Orthodox School artist Zha Shibiao. It dates from 1692 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
History & Provenance
No documentation of a specific commission or subsequent ownership transfers beyond its donation to the museum is available in the sources.
Landscape Album in Various Styles: Spring Plowing is a painting by the Chinese artist Zha Shibiao, dated 1692. It was produced in China as part of an album exploring landscape themes in various styles. The work entered the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it has been held since at least the mid‑20th century; its accession is recorded under the identifier 1955.37.2.
No documentation of a specific commission or subsequent ownership transfers beyond its donation to the museum is available in the sources.
The album leaf titled Spring Plowing from Landscape Album in Various Styles is held by the Cleveland Museum of Art, accessioned as 1955.37.2. The work has not been recorded as exhibited in major public displays since its acquisition by the museum.
Overview
Zha Shibiao's painting, titled "Landscape Album in Various Styles: Spring Plowing," was completed in 1692. This work is a notable example of a landscape painting from the late 17th century. It is currently housed within the collection of The Cleveland Museum of Art, representing a significant piece by the artist.
Subject & Meaning
The composition depicts a tranquil rural scene, characterized by a few structures and trees receding into the background. The foreground is detailed with various plants and rocks, anchoring the view. Central to the narrative is a small human figure diligently engaged in plowing a field, an activity that lends the painting its specific title and grounds the serene landscape in human endeavor.
Technique & Style
The artist employed a diverse palette of colors to establish a sense of spatial depth and to evoke a particular atmospheric quality within the painting. The application of paint is marked by bold and expressive brushstrokes. This energetic handling of the brush contributes to a dynamic visual texture, imbuing the landscape with a vibrant and lively character.
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