oval fan; image of a boy with an ox at bottom center; farm fields with a path along LL edge; river divides the scene through center from oppisite corner; trees at right side grow over the river, misty nountains in the background at top

Boy Leading an Ox Along the Farm Path, late 13th century

Unknown artist, expand_more
Not on Viewexpand_more

Using a rather extreme aerial perspective, the artist provides a detailed scene of a boy leading a water buffalo home at dusk along a river or large canal. They walk on an elevated path that is part of the dike system forming the rice paddies to their left. While at first glance this small fan painting seems a poetic interpretation of farm life, it also symbolizes the harmonious relationship among human, animal, and nature espoused by the Daoists. The artist has skillfully condensed a remarkably wide panorama of varied landscape into only a few inches of silk.

Details
Title
Boy Leading an Ox Along the Farm Path
Role
Artist
Accession Number
97.83.1
Curator Approved

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oval fan; image of a boy with an ox at bottom center; farm fields with a path along LL edge; river divides the scene through center from oppisite corner; trees at right side grow over the river, misty nountains in the background at top