continuous landscape in mountains with river; buildings, small figures and flowering trees throughout; several boats on river

Scenic Beauty Along Rivers and Mountains, 1614

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Ink and colors on silkexpand_more

Gift of Ruth and Bruce Daytonexpand_more  2000.38.1

The inscription suggests that, by aligning oneself with nature, a person could expect to live a quiet life of peace and tranquility, a sought-after goal during the political and social chaos of the early seventeenth century. It reads, in part:

Surrounded by ten-thousand miles of water is
white cloud village, amidst the flowers is
built a grass hut;
Evening lotus are reflected in clear pools,
like-minded friends face one another on verandas…
I have a spirit that soars beyond this mundane world,
You possess the prescription for immortality.
The river-side mountains are green without end,
and often seem to float in an endless expanse.

On a summer day in the year 1614, I entrusted (my ideas) to the brush at the Northern Suburb Mountain Cottage. —Bian Wenyu

Details
Title
Scenic Beauty Along Rivers and Mountains
Artist Life
1576 - 1655
Role
Artist
Dimension
L.64-5/16 x W.7-15/16 in. (image)
Accession Number
2000.38.1
Curator Approved

This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These 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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continuous landscape in mountains with river; buildings, small figures and flowering trees throughout; several boats on river