Dwelling among mountains and clouds
Some scholars have questioned the authenticity of this monumental painting attributed to Gong Xian, who is better known for smaller works and more precise application of ink. Whether by the artist or a follower, it accurately reflects one of the central interests of Gong’s oeuvre: the creation of a space of withdrawal, where he could remain quietly loyal to the fallen Ming dynasty by refusing to participate in official society. The poem reads:
Where I dwell white clouds often crowd;
But only deer travel my just-opened mountain path.
How wonderful to bring wine up to the pavilion;
Letting go a pure song in the shadows of the setting sun.
—Translation by Maxwell K. Hearn
Where I dwell white clouds often crowd;
But only deer travel my just-opened mountain path.
How wonderful to bring wine up to the pavilion;
Letting go a pure song in the shadows of the setting sun.
—Translation by Maxwell K. Hearn
Artwork Details
- 清 傳 龔賢 雲山隱居圖 軸
- Title: Dwelling among mountains and clouds
- Artist: Attributed to Gong Xian (Chinese, 1619–1689)
- Period: Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
- Date: 17th century
- Culture: China
- Medium: Hanging scroll; ink on paper
- Dimensions: Image: 10 ft. 8 in. × 44 1/4 in. (325.1 × 112.4 cm)
Overall with mounting: 13 ft. 7 in. × 55 1/4 in. (414 × 140.3 cm)
Overall with knobs: 13 ft. 7 in. × 59 3/4 in. (414 × 151.8 cm) - Classification: Paintings
- Credit Line: Purchase, The Dillon Fund Gift, 1983
- Object Number: 1983.609
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art
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Gong Xian
1688
Chinese
late 16th–early 17th century
Ni Zan
dated 1372
Peter Paul Rubens
1617
Gong Xian
ca. 1679–89
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