grove of sparse pine trees, rocks, and a low, small hut with bamboo sprigs in background; small rock formation at far L, a few sparse pine trees at bottom; hint of a waterscape at R with boulders, pines, and a rocky shore at R; inscription ULQ; rectangular stamp with rounded edges, gourd-shape inside; mounted to maroon colored mat

Landscape in the Manner of Ni Zan, 1836

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Copying old paintings and emulating ancient masters is a practice seen frequently in works by Japanese literati painters. One of the leading painters of his day, Yamamoto Baiitsu turned for inspiration to Ni Zan, a Chinese painter who lived 500 years earlier. Ni Zan was known for his distinctively sparse landscapes, which he created using sketchy brushwork and a relatively dry brush. His compositions often feature a foreground of lanky trees separated from far-distant mountains by a wide expanse of undefined water. Baiitsu skillfully adapted Ni Zan’s compositional formula to the folding-fan format by placing the foreground slightly left of center and then creating two separate mountain vistas, one at far left and the other at right.

Details
Title
Landscape in the Manner of Ni Zan
Artist Life
1783 - 1856
Role
Artist
Accession Number
2013.29.313
Curator Approved

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grove of sparse pine trees, rocks, and a low, small hut with bamboo sprigs in background; small rock formation at far L, a few sparse pine trees at bottom; hint of a waterscape at R with boulders, pines, and a rocky shore at R; inscription ULQ; rectangular stamp with rounded edges, gourd-shape inside; mounted to maroon colored mat