Who painted 清傳查士標泛棹圖軸|Old Man Boating on a River?

清傳查士標泛棹圖軸|Old Man Boating on a River was painted by Zha Shibiao in 1671.

Where can I see 清傳查士標泛棹圖軸|Old Man Boating on a River?

清傳查士標泛棹圖軸|Old Man Boating on a River is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is 清傳查士標泛棹圖軸|Old Man Boating on a River?

清傳查士標泛棹圖軸|Old Man Boating on a River is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

清傳查士標泛棹圖軸|Old Man Boating on a River

Zha Shibiao , 1671

清傳查士標泛棹圖軸|Old Man Boating on a River is an ink painting by the Baroque artist Zha Shibiao. It dates from 1671 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Technique & Style

The composition balances open water against a low, receding shoreline, creating a sense of quiet recession through tonal modulation rather than dense texture.

Executed in 1671, the work is a hanging scroll on paper using ink alone, employing the monochrome tradition of literati practice. The artist renders the scene with fluid, abbreviated brushwork to suggest recession in the river and atmosphere, while the boat and oar are indicated by economical, descriptive lines. The composition balances open water against a low, receding shoreline, creating a sense of quiet recession through tonal modulation rather than dense texture.

Handling favors spontaneity over meticulous detail, aligning with late-Ming to early-Qing practices that valued expressive immediacy. No color or mineral pigments are recorded, consistent with the medium’s classification as ink on paper.

History & Provenance

The hanging scroll titled Old Man Boating on a River was created by the artist Zha Shibiao in the year 1671 during the Qing dynasty. Executed in ink on paper, the work measures 175.3 cm in height and 68.3 cm in width. The painting is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, where it is classified as a landscape genre piece.

While the specific commission details or the identity of the original patron are not recorded in the available documentation, the work's inception is firmly dated to 1671. The piece depicts a boat on a river, consistent with the artist's landscape style of the period.

The painting is held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, accessioned under their collection. It was acquired by the museum as part of their holdings of Chinese painting. The work has been included in exhibitions focused on Chinese art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, though specific exhibition titles and dates are not detailed in the provided sources.

Overview

This hanging scroll, titled Old Man Boating on a River, is attributed to Zha Shibiao and dates to 1671. Executed in ink on paper, the painting presents a serene landscape. It features a solitary figure navigating a tranquil waterway, characteristic of the artist's contemplative approach to nature.

Subject & Meaning

The composition centers on an elderly man in a modest wooden boat, drifting across a broad river. The surrounding landscape is spare, with slender, dark trees silhouetted against a light sky along the distant banks. This minimalist portrayal evokes a sense of profound quietude, suggesting an early morning scene where the vastness of water and sky emphasizes solitude rather than activity.

Context

Created during the 17th century, this work stands apart from many contemporary Chinese landscape paintings, which often featured intricate details and bustling compositions. Zha Shibiao deliberately chose a sparse aesthetic, prioritizing expansive empty spaces over dense imagery. This emphasis on minimalism and quiet contemplation offered a distinct perspective within the artistic trends of his era.