Page from the Mustard Seed Garden Manual of Painting
In 1679, the author Li Yu published a primer for aspiring landscape painters called the Mustard Seed Garden Manual of Painting, and he commissioned the versatile painter Wang Gai to provide designs for the illustrations. The first edition features volumes on the components of landscape painting—trees, rocks, and human figures—with instructions on how to draw different types of each. It also includes two volumes of landscapes in the styles of old masters, which show readers how to transform what they have learned into their own historically minded compositions.
The manual transmitted the fashion for studying old masters' styles beyond the rarified elite circles that had given rise to the practice, and it went on to become the most widely used introduction to painting not only in China, but in Korea and Japan as well. Subsequent editions added flowers as a subject and expanded sections on human figures. It remains in use today across the world.
The manual transmitted the fashion for studying old masters' styles beyond the rarified elite circles that had given rise to the practice, and it went on to become the most widely used introduction to painting not only in China, but in Korea and Japan as well. Subsequent editions added flowers as a subject and expanded sections on human figures. It remains in use today across the world.
Artwork Details
- 清 王槩繪圖、李漁出版 《芥子園畫傳》 木版畫
- Title: Page from the Mustard Seed Garden Manual of Painting
- Artist: Illustrated by Wang Gai (Chinese, 1645–1710)
- Period: Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
- Date: first edition printed in 1679
- Culture: China
- Medium: Woodblock print; ink and color on paper
- Dimensions: 9 5/8 x 11 13/16 in. (24.4 x 30 cm)
- Classification: Prints
- Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1924
- Object Number: CP14
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art
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.
Wang Gai
first edition printed in 1679
Wang Gai
1817 (Jiaqing 2nd edition)
Wang Gai
first edition printed in 1679
Wang Gai
first edition printed in 1679
Wang Gai
first edition printed in 1679
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.