Misty Trees and Mountain Range, c. 1670, Dong Qichang, Chinese, 1555 - 1636, 6 3/4 x 195 3/8 in. (17.15 x 496.25 cm), Ink on paper, China, 17th century, The so-called wet and dry styles, originated by two great masters, Mi Fei (1051–1107) and Ni Zan (1301–1374), were standard avenues of study for most Chinese literati artists. In this case, the combination of the two approaches in a single work intrigued Dong Qichang, an influential literati artist, calligrapher, and critic in the 1600s, for he noted as much in the inscription. The handscroll begins and ends with mountain ranges painted with flowing ink washes mixed with loose, wet ink dots, a technique typical of Southern school masters such as Mi Fu (1051–1107). In the midsection, dominated by plateaus and rocks, the loose and wet technique is replaced by light structural drawing in sensitive dry brushstrokes, which are familiar from the painting style of Ni Zan. Yet this is not a series in the manner of old masters but rather a synthesis of old idioms interpreted by the painter.
Keywords:
Misty Trees, Mountain Range, 1670, Dong Qichang, Chinese, 1555 - 1636, ink on paper, China, 17th century, - wet, dry styles, originated, two great masters, Mi Fei, 1051–1107, Ni Zan, 1301–1374, standard avenues, study, Chinese literati artists, case, combination, two approaches, single work intrigued Dong Qichang, influential literati artist, calligrapher, critic, 1600s, noted, inscription, handscroll begins, ends, mountain ranges painted, flowing ink washes mixed, loose, wet ink dots, technique typical, Southern school masters, Mi Fu, 1051–1107, midsection, dominated, plateaus, rocks, loose, wet technique, replaced, light structural drawing, sensitive dry brushstrokes, familiar, painting style, Ni Zan, Yet, series, manner, old masters, synthesis, old idioms interpreted, painter
Image ID:
The watermark in the image will not appear on the final download.