南宋佚名倣夏珪冒雨尋莊圖團扇|Returning Home in a Driving Rain by Xia Gui

Xia Gui · early 13th century

Returning Home in a Driving Rain, an early 13th-century Chinese ink and color on silk painting, originally functioned as a fan before being mounted as an album leaf. This artwork, attributed to an anonymous artist working in the style of the renowned painter Xia Gui, showcases a captivating landscape scene from the Southern Song dynasty.

Observe the hurried figure navigating a severe downpour, seeking shelter amidst towering trees. The artist skillfully uses delicate ink washes to depict the intense rain, creating a dynamic and atmospheric scene. A key technique, the 'blank-space trick,' leaves the top portion of the silk entirely unpainted, creating a misty void that conveys the density of the downpour without explicitly showing individual raindrops.

During the Southern Song dynasty, circular fan paintings were a popular format for intimate landscapes and poetic subjects. Many artists emulated prominent masters, and this work reflects the aesthetic principles of the Ma-Xia school, known for its emphasis on atmospheric effects and dramatic compositions. The painting is now housed in a prominent collection.

How does this subtle approach to depicting weather change your perception of the storm?

Details

See how the artist rendered the wet, heavy atmosphere.

It was characteristic of masters like Xia Gui, whose style this imitates.

Another official or personal mark, hinting at the painting's journey through ownership.

Transcript

This 13th-century painting depicts a driving rain. Notice the hurried figure, battling the storm. See how the artist rendered the wet, heavy atmosphere. The sky is entirely unpainted, a deliberate 'blank-space trick.' This technique conveys a dense downpour without a single raindrop. It was characteristic of masters like Xia Gui, whose style this imitates.