Misty River and Layered Peaks, Wanli period, 1608
Gu Deyiexpand_more
Ink and color on paperexpand_more
Gift of funds from Joan Wurteleexpand_more 97.125
On View in Gallery 203expand_more
The scene depicted in this handscroll is a panorama of riverbanks with trees, houses, bridges, and figures set among an ample stretch of water. Across the river, the rolling hills open into a vista that curves to the left, as if drifting between sky and water. The artist’s pictorial vision presents the scene as more nonreligious than sacred. The imagery is concrete, but subtly evokes the transcendent realm.
A thatched pavilion is perched on a cliff near the waterfall, a common motif in Chinese paintings. It is a reference to the work of Ni Zan, a well-known Yuan dynasty (1271–1368) artist who depicted pavilions like this in many of his paintings, meant to imply a sense of purity. The Yuan dynasty was an unstable period in which China was ruled by Mongolia. Thus, the unhindered lifestyle associated with Ni Zan—who was unwilling to serve the Yuan court and fled society to live in nature—was admired by many scholars. They included this motif as a tribute to him and to emphasize the spirit of hermitage.
Details
- Title
- Misty River and Layered Peaks
- Artist Life
- active 1608-1633
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- 97.125
- Curator Approved
This record is from historic documentation and may not have been reviewed by a curator, so may be inaccurate or incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
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