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Snow Clearing: Landscape after Li Cheng

Wang Hui Chinese
Calligrapher Inscribed by Wang Hui Chinese
dated 1669
Not on view
Defying the dictum of the authoritative theorist Dong Qichang (1555–1636) that "in painting it is better to be descriptively obscure rather than to be obvious," Wang Hui regarded calligraphic abstraction and mimetic representation as "the two wings of a bird." Inspired by Li Cheng's (919–967) descriptive idiom of jagged rock formations and spiky "crab-claw" wintry trees, which demand representational skill as well as calligraphic discipline, Wang's perfectly controlled lyrical composition—a snowscape of enchanted stillness-celebrates the beauty of nature.

Painted for Zhou Lianggong (1612–1672), a high-ranking official who was facing unjust charges of corruption, Wang's choice of the Li Cheng style was significant. Li's winter landscapes had long been viewed as emblems of survival in the face of adversity, so Wang's painting may be read as an expression of sympathy and encouragement.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • 清　王翬　倣李成雪霽圖　軸
  • Title: Snow Clearing: Landscape after Li Cheng
  • Artist: Wang Hui (Chinese, 1632–1717)
  • Calligrapher: Inscribed by Wang Hui (Chinese, 1632–1717)
  • Period: Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
  • Date: dated 1669
  • Culture: China
  • Medium: Hanging scroll; ink and color on paper
  • Dimensions: Image: 44 3/8 x 14 1/8 in. (112.7 x 35.9 cm)
    Overall with mounting: 89 1/4 x 20 7/8 in. (226.7 x 53 cm)
    Overall with knobs: 89 1/4 x 24 1/8 in. (226.7 x 61.3 cm)
  • Classification: Paintings
  • Credit Line: Ex coll.: C. C. Wang Family, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Earl Morse, in honor of Professor Wen Fong, 1978
  • Object Number: 1978.13
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

More Artwork
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Landscape in the Style of Li Gonglin, Wang Hui Chinese, Hanging scroll; ink and color on silk, China
Landscape in the Style of Li Gonglin
Wang Hui
dated 1702
Mountains after Rain, Wang Hui Chinese, Folding fan mounted as an album leaf; ink and color on paper, China
Mountains after Rain
Wang Hui
dated 1695
The Colors of Mount Taihang, Wang Hui Chinese, Handscroll; ink and color on silk, China
The Colors of Mount Taihang
Wang Hui
dated 1669
Clearing after Rain over Streams and Mountains, Wang Hui Chinese, Hanging scroll; ink on paper, China
Clearing after Rain over Streams and Mountains
Wang Hui
dated 1662
Landscape in the Style of Zhao Boju (Fang Zhao Boju shanshui), Wang Hui Chinese, Hanging scroll; ink and color on paper, China
Landscape in the Style of Zhao Boju (Fang Zhao Boju shanshui)
Wang Hui
dated 1654

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