Landscape
Couched in the Northern Song idioms of Yan Wengui (active ca. 970–1030) and Fan Kuan (active ca. 990–1030), this small landscape by Zhao Yuan exemplifies late Yuan and early Ming scholar painting in which ancient models were transformed by calligraphic brushwork. Late Yuan scholar-artists saw painting as a vehicle for personal expression: painting, it was said, should be like handwriting—a “heart print” of the artist.
Executed during a period of political and social turmoil, Zhao’s handscroll reflects a common theme found in paintings of his time: the reclusive life. A secluded mountain villa nestled at the foot of a tall peak suggests a serene existence free from worldly strife.
Zhao Yuan, who lived in the south, re-created the towering mountains of the north through his imagination. The last fantastic peak near the far left of the composition was probably inspired by a garden rock—similar to one on display along the west wall of the Museum’s Astor Court.
Executed during a period of political and social turmoil, Zhao’s handscroll reflects a common theme found in paintings of his time: the reclusive life. A secluded mountain villa nestled at the foot of a tall peak suggests a serene existence free from worldly strife.
Zhao Yuan, who lived in the south, re-created the towering mountains of the north through his imagination. The last fantastic peak near the far left of the composition was probably inspired by a garden rock—similar to one on display along the west wall of the Museum’s Astor Court.
Artwork Details
- 元/明 趙原 倣燕文貴范寬山水圖 元/明 沈巽竹石 合卷
- Title: Landscape
- Artist: Zhao Yuan (Chinese, active ca. 1350–75)
- Period: Yuan (1271–1368) or Ming (1368–1644) dynasty
- Date: late 14th century
- Culture: China
- Medium: Handscroll; ink on paper
- Dimensions: Image: 9 13/16 x 30 1/2 in. (24.9 x 77.5 cm)
Overall with mounting: 10 1/8 x 347 5/16 in. (25.7 x 882.2 cm) - Classification: Paintings
- Credit Line: Edward Elliott Family Collection, Purchase, The Dillon Fund Gift, 1981
- Object Number: 1981.285.15
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art
Audio
7606. Landscape in the Style of Yan Wengui and Fan Kuan
0:00
0:00
We're sorry, the transcript for this audio track is not available at this time. Please email info@metmuseum.org to request a transcript for this track.
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Shen Xun
late 14th century
Zhao Yuan
second half 14th century
China
ca. 1319
Qian Xuan
ca. 1295
Huang Tingjian
ca. 1095
Related Content
Publications
Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.