| The
forms of mountains, rocks, and trees were created by building up layers of dry
ink tones and brushstrokes.
These natural forms are simple and almost abstract. The foliage of the trees is
reduced to a repetition of dashes. Contrasting dark ink dots, called moss dots,
enliven and unify the overall surface. The elegant, modulated brushstrokes of
the artist's calligraphy in his poem on the upper right echo the horizontal emphasis
of the moss dots and the tonal variations of the texturing used within the landscape.
Ni
Zan's celebratory poem, on the upper right, contains many literary and historical
references: Chen
Fan once prepared a bed
When Xu Ru(zi) came to visit.
How sweet is the
water from Yan Ziyou's well.
Yet Yuzhong's shrine is neglected and desolate.
We watch the clouds and daub with our brushes;
We drink wine and write
poems.
The joyful feelings of this day
Will linger long after we have
parted. Next Back |
