Landscapes and Flowers
A native of Shexian, Anhui Province, Wang Shishen moved to Yangzhou by 1709 and made the acquaintance of Ma Yueguan (1687-1755), a salt merchant also of Anhui origin who was to become a leader of local scholarly and artistic circles. Their friend-patron relationship was important to Wang's career.
Wang's painting is praised for its delicate touch and subtle lyricism, especially in his depictions of plum blossoms. Here they are rendered either alone or accompanied by other flowers. His terse, rhythmic brushwork contributes to the liveliness of all his floral images. Much rarer among Wang Shishen's extant works are landscapes. A major inspiration to him in this genre was Shitao (1642–1707), a celebrated master who lived in Yangzhou during the final decade of his life. Shitao's influence is particularly distinct in Wang's sensitive characterization of a lone wanderer in an atmospheric landscape.
Wang's painting is praised for its delicate touch and subtle lyricism, especially in his depictions of plum blossoms. Here they are rendered either alone or accompanied by other flowers. His terse, rhythmic brushwork contributes to the liveliness of all his floral images. Much rarer among Wang Shishen's extant works are landscapes. A major inspiration to him in this genre was Shitao (1642–1707), a celebrated master who lived in Yangzhou during the final decade of his life. Shitao's influence is particularly distinct in Wang's sensitive characterization of a lone wanderer in an atmospheric landscape.
Artwork Details
- 清 汪士慎 山水花卉圖 冊
- Title: Landscapes and Flowers
- Artist: Wang Shishen (Chinese, 1686–1759)
- Period: Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
- Date: dated 1745
- Culture: China
- Medium: Album of eight paintings; ink and color on paper
- Dimensions: Image: 8 x 9 7/8 in. (20.3 x 25.1 cm)
- Classification: Paintings
- Credit Line: Gift of Douglas Dillon, 1980
- Object Number: 1980.426.5a–h
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art
More Artwork
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.